Manchester United

Brandon Williams desperate to make his mark during pre-season

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 27 July 2023

Manchester United defender Brandon Williams opens up on his battle to work his way into the plans of the club's head coach Erik ten Hag for the 2023-24 campaign.

Brandon Williams has said that he is relishing being involved in Manchester United's pre-season, with the defender hoping to be a part of Erik ten Hag's plans for the 2023-24 campaign.

The 22-year-old was a second-half substitute against Real Madrid on Wednesday evening, with the full-back playing for the third time during pre-season.

Williams could again find it difficult to be involved in the new campaign, though, as Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are ahead of him in the pecking order for the left-back spot.

There have been suggestions that the Englishman will be on the move this summer, with a number of clubs thought to be showing an interest in his services.

Williams's contract is due to expire next June, but there is the option of a 12-month extension, and the club's academy product is determined to remain at Old Trafford.

Brandon Williams in action for Manchester United in the Europa League on February 25, 2021 © Reuters

"It's my first pre-season in three years," Williams told Man United's official website following Wednesday's 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in Texas.

"The other pre-seasons I've been injured so I've come back hungry and I'm enjoying the tour, and enjoying getting to know the new players coming in as well.

"It's good to be together as it's about making that team spirit going into the season stronger. It helps when you're on the pitch if you know a player off the pitch as well.

"So it's good to speak to some of the foreign players, getting to know their culture, and even the younger boys who've come up and done really well.

Brandon Williams in action for Man Utd on August 5, 2020 © Reuters

"Those who've come up might be shy so it's important to speak to them and get that relationship. It's been an enjoyable week so far and we've got one game to go.

"You've just got to get ready for the first game of the season. You never know, you might be starting – football can change so quickly so you have to prepare yourself as best you can and get involved with the team."

Williams has made 51 appearances for Man United in all competitions, with his most productive campaign coming in 2019-20, when he featured on 36 occasions.

The defender, who spent the 2021-22 campaign on loan at Norwich City, only featured once last term, though, playing the latter stages of the EFL Cup clash with Burnley in December.

Williams will now be hoping to be involved in Man United's final pre-season tour fixture, which comes against German giants Borussia Dortmund on Sunday night.