Brandon Williams, a 21-year-old academy product who plays for Manchester United, is on the verge of being let go by the club during the summer transfer window
The Manchester Evening News reports that Manchester United is reportedly prepared to split ways with fullback Brandon Williams during the summer transfer window.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the one who gave the 21-year-old player his debut with the first team after he worked his way up through the ranks at Old Trafford. Since then, he has played for the Red Devils 50 times, during which time he has scored once and assisted on three more goals. Even though he had some potential, his efforts have not been rewarded with a larger part in the playing team.
Williams spent the 2021/22 season on loan at Norwich City, where he made 26 appearances for the Canaries despite the club’s continued inability to avoid being demoted from the English premier league. Despite Williams’ efforts, Norwich City ultimately failed to avoid being demoted. Although the 21-year-old may have been given consistent playing time at Carrow Road, Manchester United was not very impressed by this fact, and they are now prepared to make a move to acquire him.
Old Trafford is in desperate need of a roster shakeup now that Erik ten Hag has taken over as manager of the club. The Red Devils are so far behind Manchester City and Liverpool that they cannot afford to waste time or energy on players who are unable to contribute to their rise to the top.
Williams, despite all of his potential, has been found lacking on several occasions, and it should not come as a surprise that ten Hag does not look eager to retain him. It would suggest that the Dutchman wants to start over with his full-back squad at right-back, especially considering that Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also a possible casualty of this decision.
Will Manchester United retain him?
Even though Williams is still relatively young, there is cause for concern over his lack of growth over the course of the last two seasons. Although they are just a few years older, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James are light years ahead of himThe difference in quality is rather noticeable. In current football, the position of an all-action full-back has been reimagined, and Williams seems to be falling behind the times in this regard.
The same may be said about other young people, such as Phil Foden or Bukayo Saka, both of whom have lived up to the early potential they showed and have continued to grow. Williams’ progression looks to have stagnated, and Manchester United has advised him that he may explore a new club this summer.
The 21-year-old player has the potential to establish himself as a mainstay for a Premier League club that competes in the middle of the league. However, considerably larger expectations are placed on players and coaches at Manchester United. It would look as if Williams is going to say their last goodbyes to the Theatre of Dreams in the coming weeks unless there is a late-breaking change in their plans.
