Manchester United wanted to sign me - but I joined Man City because the training was better

In an era of global superstars, far-reaching scouting networks and significant finances, Premier League football can seem a long way from the fans.

In days gone by the teams might have been packed with local players who often socialised with supporters. But the introduction of the Premier League and the stratospheric rise of football since mean those on the pitch often come from all corners of the globe.

But at Manchester United and Manchester City, local pride lives on. The Reds have a long tradition of selecting at least one academy graduate in a matchday squad while City have the likes of Phil Foden and Rico Lewis as local boys done good.

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And at the Etihad there is a significant amount of talent coming through the ranks behind those two. Nico O'Reilly is heading the queue having broken into the senior set up this season following an impressive pre-season showing in America.

The midfielder is only 19 but is highly-rated. Yet it could have been a different story for the north Manchester teen, who had a clutch of clubs seeking his services as a child, including United.

“The first team that scouted me was actually United and then City came in for me as well as Liverpool and Everton," said O'Reilly, speaking on the latest edition of the official Man City podcast.

“Before you sign a contract you train with all the teams so I was doing that for a bit. I had a choice when I was Under-8s and Under-9s out of City and United. I chose City because the training was a lot better.”

A decade on and O'Reilly is reaping the reward having come