How does Williams rate his second season?
Manchester United youth product Brandon Williams is confident he improved as a player throughout the 2020/21 season, despite playing fewer games than he had hoped for.
The local lad broke into the first-team squad during the previous campaign and quickly became a popular player for supporters thanks to his aggressive, all-action style of defending.
Williams made 36 appearances that term and provided genuine competition for Luke Shaw, yet his chances this season were limited by the latter’s outstanding form and the arrival of Alex Telles.
Capable of playing on either flank, Brandon also provides back-up for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and remains a burgeoning talent who recently reached a half century of matches for his boyhood club, which is an achievement to be proud of.
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“Definitely,” Brandon told us. “Obviously, I haven’t played as many games as I did last year but honestly that doesn’t bother me. I’m here, I’m training with the best every single day, I’m improving.
“I know I’m improving and the players, my team-mates, know I’m improving, and the management knows I’m improving. So that’s the most important thing, just improving as a player and keeping that mentality that ‘who knows when I’m going to play’, and I need to be ready when I do.”
Still only 20 years old, Williams has a long career ahead of him and is determined to keep working on his game at the Aon Training Complex. He is quick to admit that team-mate Shaw is an example for him to follow, having watched the England international own the left-back position this season.
“Yeah, anyone can be inspired by Luke. Just because everyone doesn’t think you are performing at your best doesn’t mean you’re not improving as a player and you can have those moments.
“It’s just about taking your opportunities, like Luke has. He’s nailed down the spot, he’s gone on the pitch, he’s performed, so you have got to keep playing him. He gets that momentum and he uses that momentum to improve him as a player as well.”
An honour to be invited to the Sir Alex Ferguson premiere, a special man and a great watch 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/lDRJ9QgvFm
— Brandon Williams (@branwilliams) May 21, 2021
Favourite opposition stadium?
“Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the new one.”
Your unsung hero?
“Could I say two? Dave Bushell and Tony Whelan.”
Most impressive team-mate?
“Most impressive? Wow. Mason!”
Your toughest challenge?
“Keeping my mental state throughout the season when I’ve not played so much, just keeping that going which is a challenge but like I say, I’m always ready.”