Brandon William

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JAMIE REDKNAPP INTERVIEWS BRANDON WILLIAMS: Manchester United youngster says he's matured on loan at Norwich… but insists there's no point going back to Old Trafford to sit on the bench

* Brandon Williams is currently on loan at Norwich City from Manchester United
* The defender is away for the first time from the club he has supported all his life
* The 21-year-old struggled at first, but now he is thriving under boss Dean Smith

If you are reading this and sitting in The Snack Attack cafe in Harpurhey's indoor market, kindly rip out this interview and hand it to Lisa behind the counter.

Lisa is Brandon Williams' mum, the owner of the greasy spoon in Manchester where this talented young left back grew up. She sticks his newspaper clippings to the cafe's wall, like any proud mum would.

The 21-year-old is 200 miles away, on loan at Norwich City from Manchester United, his first time away from the club he has supported all his life.

He is thriving at Carrow Road and is here to talk with Sportsmail's Jamie Redknapp about thumping tackles, buying his dad a Mercedes and what happens this summer. Kieran Gill listened in.

WILLIAMS: Growing up I wasn't into football. I just wanted to have fun on the playground. But one of my dad's friends needed to make up the numbers for his son's game. I bought my boots, massive shin pads, the lot, and went to the game. I did well and something clicked.

REDKNAPP: You're a lifelong red?

WILLIAMS: I was a season ticket holder the last time we won the title in 2013! It's my boyhood club. I was 13 when I started becoming a defender and then left back for the Under 18s.

REDKNAPP: As a right-footer, you're great at cutting in from that wing and passing into midfield. What made you go for left back?

WILLIAMS: We had three right backs in the Under 18s and only one left back! I played there once to fill in and since then I've pushed to make that position my own.

REDKNAPP: Why did you tell United to loan you out this season?

WILLIAMS: My first season with United was great. I played 36 games, 17 in the Premier League. Then lockdown came. We went into the new season after a very short break and from there, Luke (Shaw) was on fire and Alex (Telles) had just come in. I could have stayed and trained but I knew deep down I had to get out and prove I was a Premier League player.


Brandon Williams is currently on loan at Norwich City from Manchester United. The 21-year-old full back is away for the first time from the club he has supported all his life

Norwich's former manager Daniel Farke seemed reluctant to use his loanees, such as Williams and Chelsea's 20-year-old midfielder Billy Gilmour. But Dean Smith has embraced his batch of exciting youngsters.

REDKNAPP: How have you found the loan?

WILLIAMS: It wasn't the best of starts. All I've ever known is Manchester United. Coming to a new club, so far away from my family, was difficult. I was in and out of the team and thinking, 'Is this right for me?'. But since the gaffer has come in, it's been a real turnaround. He's helped me and Billy. He's getting the best out of us.

REDKNAPP: It must have been a big change for you, from the expectation of winning every game at United to scrapping for survival.

WILLIAMS: This team is full of top players and we'll keep going to the end. Even if it takes us until the last game, we'll not stop fighting.

REDKNAPP: It's a big change to move away. I was 17 when I moved to Liverpool and had some down days - I mainly missed my mum's cooking! I can imagine that was hard when you weren't getting games. The bonus of being on your own is the lack of distractions.

WILLIAMS: Definitely. My friends are all in Manchester but here it's strictly train, recover, eat well, sleep, repeat. Even with my eating - last year I wasn't focused on it, but since coming here, I've felt as fit as I've ever been. I'm getting stronger and pushing myself like never before.

REDKNAPP: Speaking of eating, how are your culinary skills?

WILLIAMS: At Norwich, we have this app. It gives you low-carb options, high-carb, whatever you need. It gives you ingredients and a recipe for how to make it. I give it a go sometimes... or sometimes I let the chefs at the club make it and I put it in the microwave!

REDKNAPP: Penne arrabbiata. That was my one dish. My mum taught me how to cook it but after four years you get sick of it! Your mum seems so proud of you and rightly so. I've seen the pictures of the photos of you at her cafe.

WILLIAMS: All the old folks in the area go there. They'll have a tea, read the newspaper and rip it out for mum to stick up. She loves it! 'I'm Brandon's mum'. She's great.

REDKNAPP: And what about your dad? I know you used one of your first payslips to buy him a brand new Mercedes-Benz.


Defender Williams struggled at first, but now he is thriving under Norwich boss Dean Smith. Many full backs now are attack minded, but Williams loves defending and making a tackle

WILLIAMS: Rain or snow my dad would drive me everywhere for training and games. I felt like it was something he deserved. I'm happy I could make him happy.

Williams comes from a boxing family. His cousins are Zelfa Barrett, the 28-year-old super-featherweight, and Lyndon Arthur, a 30-year-old light-heavyweight.

REDKNAPP: I know you love a tackle. Too many modern-day full backs are more interested in flying forward and almost look peeved at having to defend. But you love it.

WILLIAMS: I love defending. If I make a good tackle, it gives me a burst of energy and I play off that. I need that intensity to get the adrenaline going. When I make a tackle, it can generate energy into the team. It lifts the crowd and that lifts us. I love it.

REDKNAPP: I've not heard anyone say that for years - the last person was Steven Gerrard. The part of the world where you come from, a tackle means so much. If someone pings a 25-yard pass you can say, 'Aw that's lovely'. But if someone wins a 50-50 challenge and goes through their opponent at the same time, fans love it. And I love to hear you say that.

WILLIAMS: We played Everton at home in January and Grant Hanley, our centre half, put in a big block. Then we scored two in two minutes because that created energy. The fans don't realise how much they help. It really is an extra man.

REDKNAPP: Where does that raw aggression and desire come from? Did you box as a kid like your cousins?

WILLIAMS: I didn't but I do train with them in the pre-pre-season. It's a different world. It's just you, your gloves and thinking about your opponent until fight night. It's so strict.



REDKNAPP: Footballers could learn from the discipline of boxers and it sounds like you've taken that with you to Norwich.

WILLIAMS: I had a talk with the gaffer recently and he asked me, 'What have you learned?'. I said I feel more mature. I feel like an athlete now and a true professional. I am going to take that back up to Manchester in the summer.

REDKNAPP: Whatever happens with Norwich, you'll be a United player again in the summer. They're scrapping for the top four now. Do you see them finishing fourth?

WILLIAMS: United shouldn't be in this predicament but that's the situation right now. I hope they get into the Champions League - the club deserves to be there.

REDKNAPP: You're tasting first-team football now. Will you have another decision to make in the summer?

WILLIAMS: I'm playing games now and I love it. I can't wait for the weekend so I can get to the stadium. There would be no point in me going back to United and just sitting on the bench. I want to play and feel I'm better equipped for the Premier League after this experience. Whether it's at United or somewhere else, we'll deal with that in the summer. But I've got a job to do here at Norwich.

REDKNAPP: I don't mind telling you I wrote Norwich off. Plenty of us did.

WILLIAMS: We were written off because we didn't win a game until November. It's not the start we wanted, but it's about how you finish. Around the city, you can feel the energy. People believe we can stay up and I want to give them something to celebrate.

REDKNAPP: Tell you what, if you stay up, you've got to treat all the boys to a meal at Snack Attack.

WILLIAMS: (laughs) Yes! Snack Attack - get them in there!

REDKNAPP: Don't forget my invite!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10661439/Brandon-Williams-Theres-no-point-going-Manchester-United-sit-bench.html

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Brighton are 'chasing Manchester United's £15m youngster Brandon Williams' as a potential replacement for Marc Cucurella - though Manchester City are still way off meeting their £50m valuation

* Brighton are set to target Manchester United's Brandon Williams this summer
* The 21-year-old could replace star defender Marc Cucurella, if he joins Man City
* Williams is highly regarded at Old Trafford, but way down the pecking order

Brighton & Hove Albion could turn their attentions to Manchester United youngster Brandon Williams, should Marc Cucurella join Manchester City this summer.

Seagulls boss Graham Potter is eyeing a move for the 21-year-old to fill the void that could be left by Cucurella with the Premier League champions still chasing the Spaniard.

City have failed to match Brighton's minimum £50million valuation for Cucurella so far, but it's likely that they will end up capturing his signature.

Cucurella, who was signed for £15m from La Liga side Getafe last summer, is only one year into his five-year deal at the Amex Stadium.

Potter is therefore reluctant to allow the 24-year-old to leave, but is accepting of the possibility, according to The Mirror.

Although Brighton are hopeful of keeping Cucurella after rejecting City's opening £30m offer.


Brighton could turn their attentions to Manchester United youngster Brandon Williams. The 21-year-old is seen as a replacement for Marc Cucurella, who could join Manchester City. Williams, who spent last season on loan at relegated Norwich, is highly regarded at United. The youngster's hopes of regular game time now look slim with the arrival of Tyrell Malacia

The Spain international made 35 appearances for Brighton last season, following his £15m move from Getafe. He signed a five year contract, and the Seagulls have ambitions to hold onto their man for a little while longer - unless City stump up.

City and Brighton entered negotiations after the former sold Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal for £32m, with the Ukrainian leaving the Etihad after six years with the Citizens.

If City do manage to snap up Cucurella, Brighton will then be forced into signing a new full-back with Williams high on the list of potential targets.

Williams, who spent last season on loan at relegated Norwich, is highly regarded at Old Trafford after coming through the youth system.

He broke into the first-team at United during the 2019-20 season, where he played 36 games and followed that with 14 games the following season which included a debut in the Champions League.

The youngster's hopes of regular game time now look slim with the arrival of Tyrell Malacia in a £14.7m deal with Feyenoord.

The new 22-year-old signing is expected to be battling for the starting left-back position with England international Luke Shaw this season.

Alex Telles is also another option in that position, leaving Williams way down the pecking order under new boss Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils could therefore be willing to sell the youngster for £15m this summer as they continue to overhaul their squad.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11045455/Brighton-chasing-Manchester-Uniteds-15m-youngster-Brandon-Williams.html

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON WILLIAM (3 SEPTEMBER)

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Manchester United youngster Brandon Williams surprisingly picks 'magician' Juan Mata as the best player he has ever played with... and reveals former team-mates Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard 'made me laugh most'

* Defender Brandon Williams says Juan Mata is the best player he has played with
* He praised the Spaniard's ability to be a 'magician' on the ball and control games
* Williams pointed out how Mata would help the young players in the squad
* He revealed that Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard were among the squad's jokers

Brandon Williams has surprisingly named former Manchester United and Chelsea star Juan Mata as the best player he's played with.

The Spanish playmaker recently left the Red Devils at the end of his contract at Old Trafford and then found a new home in Turkey as he joined Galatasaray.

The 22-year-old has played with some top talent during his time with Manchester United, where he has been since he was an eight-year-old in 2008.

This means he would have crossed paths with some of the best players the Premier League has seen in the last two decades, such as Cristiano Ronaldo (in his first-spell at the club), Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Carlos Tevez and more recently, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Casemiro.

However, some might be surprised that when asked who the best player Williams had played with he said Mata.

The former Norwich City loanee told GOAL: 'I'd probably say Juan Mata, because he's a magician on the ball.


Brandon Williams picked Juan Mata as the best footballer he has played with. Mata scored 51 goals in 285 games for Manchester United in his eight-year spell at the club

'He takes control of games in the way he plays.

'He's a good guy off the pitch as well - he speaks to us and he helps us.'

Mata has enjoyed a good career in England following his move to Chelsea from Valencia in 2011.

He spent three seasons at Stamford Bridge, in this time, he won the FA Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League.

Despite being an important member of the squad, he was sold to Manchester United as he did not fit into Jose Mourinho's plans at the Blues.

Mata would go on to spend the last eight seasons at Old Trafford, winning the FA Cup in 2016, League Cup in 2017 as well as the Europa League the same year.

The 34-year-old midfielder made some important contributions to the club during his 285 appearances in all competitions, as he scored 51 goals and assisted 47 more.


Williams (left) has said that Jessie Lingard (right) and Paul Pogba would make him laugh a lot. Nemanja Matic was another player that Williams picked out as being one of the team's jokers

Williams also picked midfield trio Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard as the funniest players that have been in the team.

All three left the club as free agents this summer, with Matic reuniting with former manager Jose Mourinho at Roma, Pogba returning to Juventus and Jesse Lingard making the move to Nottingham Forest.

On the three, Williams said: 'A couple of them have left last season.

'It was Jesse [Lingard], Paul [Pogba] and Nemanja Matic, they made me laugh the most.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11199437/Man-Uniteds-Brandon-Williams-surprisingly-picks-Juan-Mata-best-player-played-with.html

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Brandon Williams slams 'IDIOTS' on Twitter who question whether Harry Maguire should start... as he insists his Manchester United team-mate gives his all despite the criticism and has 'already had a great career'

* Harry Maguire's place for Manchester United and England has been questioned
* The United captain has struggled for form at Old Trafford over the past year
* It has led to Erik ten Hag dropping him at the start of the new campaign
* Brandon Williams has come to the defence of Maguire after online criticism

Brandon Williams has launched a passionate defence over under-fire Manchester United team-mate Harry Maguire by hitting out at 'idiots' on Twitter.

Maguire's form for United has been questioned since the start of last season and new manager Erik ten Hag has dropped the England international to the bench in favour of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.

Williams though says that despite the noise surrounding Maguire on social media, the centre-back still gives his all and shouldn't listen to the negative attention that surrounds him.

He told the Sportsman: 'People don't listen to the outside world. Harry will go into training a hundred per cent every day.


Brandon Williams has come to the defence of Manchester United team-mate Harry Maguire. Maguire's (right) form has been questioned since the start of last season and has led to him being dropped by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag

'Harry will give, whether he's starting the game, whether he's not starting the game, one hundred per cent.

'We don't care about the outside world because the only thing that matters is the opinions on the inside. The opinions on the inside are the most important.

'If you're doing well in training, who's some little idiot sat on Twitter that's going to tell you that you shouldn't be starting a game. Who is he? I genuinely don't get it. Harry is a top fella. Top captain and top player. He'll have a great career.

'He's already had a great career. He's on stepping stones and he'll get to the top where he wants to be. He's already at the top. He's captain of Man United. I dream to be that one day and he's already done it.'

Ten Hag revealed over the summer that Maguire would remain as United's captain following his arrival, and the 29-year-old started the opening two games of the season.

However, both games resulted in humiliation for United, with a 2-1 loss to Brighton followed by a 4-0 thumping by Brentford.

Since then he has been left on the bench as United have bounced back with four consecutive victories, with Maguire only making a ten minute cameo off the bench against Arsenal.


Maguire started United's opening two games but has been dropped since the defeats to Brighton and Brentford. Williams says Maguire gives his all and has 'already had a great career'. Despite his struggles at United, Maguire has always impressed for England and was selected by Gareth Southgate for their upcoming games with Italy and Germany

Maguire similarly started United's Europa League opener to Real Sociedad which ended in a 1-0 defeat, before coming off the bench in the last minute against Sheriff Tiraspol.

Despite his struggles at Old Trafford, Maguire has been one of England's standout performers, going back to his impressive displays for the Three Lions at Euro 2022.

His performances for his country has seen him called up for this month's Nations League games with Italy and Germany, despite his lack of game-time at club level.

Williams, 22, is currently out of action as he recovers from a back injury, but he is eager to return when he is 100 per cent fit to better his chances of returning to first-team action.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11231667/Manchester-United-Brandon-Williams-defends-Harry-Maguire-criticism-Twitter-idiots.html

[Andi Istiabudi]

WILIAMS WORKING HARD TO GET UP TO SPEED

Brandon Williams admits he has been playing catch-up after a spell on the sidelines but has been working overtime in a bid to learn Erik ten Hag's methods and structured gameplan.

The homegrown defender made his first appearance under the manager in the previous round of the Carabao Cup, against Burnley, and has been back in the matchday squad for a couple of Premier League games since.

The quarter-final tie with Charlton Athletic may provide another opportunity for minutes for the full-back, with the boss needing to rotate his squad to handle a crammed fixture schedule, and Williams is determined to make the most of any chances that come his way.

The training camp in Spain during the World Cup provided the perfect platform for the 22-year-old to really get in tune with Ten Hag's methodology and he will be keen to show the traits and expertise the boss wants in his full-backs.

In an exclusive interview published in the matchday programme for the cup tie with Charlton, Williams left no doubts about his determination to fight his way into the side.

“It was tough," he said of the winter trip overseas. "It was something I needed as well, obviously being out with a long injury and coming back, it was difficult to probably get some concentrated training. But, with the World Cup being on, I got a kind of mini pre-season and it helped me as well. Walking back out on the pitch in a United shirt is something that I love to do and want to do many more times.

“I just love playing every single time, the feeling doesn’t go from my first appearance to that one," he said of reappearing at Old Trafford in the Burnley clash. "There’s no difference. It’s an honour to be out there and, like I’ve said, I just want to make many more appearances."

Williams is clearly hungry for a chance to impress and has pledged to push on in 2023 after the long spell on the sidelines last year.

"Even being on the bench, just waiting for that opportunity," he explained. "When I do get an opportunity, I will take it. I’ll show the manager what I am capable of. It’s been a hard couple of months because I’ve been taking in so much information and learning the manager’s gameplan and the way he does things. I really enjoy that and enjoy learning it and I feel really positive.

"It's a lot of information. I’m still catching up, playing catch-up, and learning every day by doing extras to try to get to that level.”

Williams is at the right age to absorb the information and kick on, hopefully providing options in both full-back slots due to his versatility.

“I’ve definitely got an understanding for the game now," he added in United Review. "I’ve been in professional games for three or four years now. It’s a long time of learning different gameplans. We’ve got this gameplan now and I’m looking forward to these next few years.

"I learned that [playing on either flank] from a young age and now I enjoy it on both sides. I enjoy playing anywhere, as long as I’m playing, I don’t really care. I’ll do the job. I just enjoy playing football.”

www.manutd.com