We were cast aside by Manchester United - so now we're helping Man City's global drive for trophies

Manchester United might be the most recognisable club brand in the world but it's Manchester City who are spreading their links across the globe.

United's significant history and success means they are always in the conversation when it comes to the biggest clubs around. City are relative new kids on the block and have taken a different tactic with their almost pioneering approach to the multi-club model.

City Football Group have a collection of clubs across the world, including Girona in Spain, who are the flag bearers for the strategy. The La Liga side stunned the division's heavyweights last season in fighting for the title for large swathes of the season before qualifying for Champions League. It was a significant achievement and while they have struggled in Europe and haven't quite hit the heights of last term domestically, they are still punching above their weight.

And two former Manchester United players are having a say. Daley Blind was a key figure last term and remains an important influence this time around while Donny Van de Beek is a regular this term.

Girona has provided a platform for both to reset, and Mark Sochon from La Liga Expert says the experienced Dutch pair are playing a role in their new surroundings.

"Daley Blind was really important last season," said Sochon. "It was quite a young side, so having a player of his experience and quality was absolutely vital and he was a real leader for an inexperienced defence.

"He’s still very important, but for one reason or another, the defence has changed regularly this term, so it doesn’t feel quite as assured as a collective unit as was the case last term with Blind and Eric Garcia forming a good partnership. The demands of two games per week is also