Pique, Brereton Diaz, Brownhill: An XI of Man Utd academy alumni you forgot about

When a youth academy starlet emerging from one of Europe’s top clubs doesn’t quite break through and ultimately moves on, football is quick to brand them a failure.

And while many players who are held in high regard from young will often fail to reach the dizzying heights of potential bestowed on them, that doesn’t mean they have failed in their pursuit of becoming a professional footballer.

Manchester United, who have built a reputation for promoting and producing exceptional youth talent, have always been keen to rely on their younger ranks where possible. The reality is, however, that most will not make it and become a regular at the Theatre of Dreams. And that’s okay.

It’s often viewed in a negative light, but actually the players who come up through the ranks at top clubs such as United are often well equipped to go and make a professional footballing career for themselves elsewhere, which is ultimately a success story.

For the Red Devils, there is a seriously impressive portfolio of footballers playing professionally around the world who have emerged from their academy. And within that portfolio, there are some incredibly talented players who have forged a very impressive career, considering how difficult it is to do so.

There can’t be a class of 92 every few seasons, nor can there be a new Marcus Rashford emerging every 18 months. GIVEMESPORT has decided to highlight just how deep United’s academy alumni pool goes, and put together an XI of players you might have forgotten – or never even knew – earned their early years stripes with United.

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Yep, that’s right. Italian goalkeeper Gollini joined Manchester United’s youth academy in 2010 and spent two years