Williams reveals his Moscow memories
Manchester United defender Brandon Williams has recalled watching the Reds win the Champions League as a boyhood fan.
The left-back was only seven when Sir Alex Ferguson's side defeated Chelsea in all-English final, in Moscow, back in 2008.
He admits it was a struggle to obtain permission to stay up so late, particularly when the game went all the way to a penalty shoot-out, but remembers it fondly.
Williams: My rise to the United first team
Get to know more about Brandon Williams, as he discusses his rise through the ranks to the United first team...
"We got tickets for pretty much every home game," he told us. "So I was watching the likes of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"It shows you what the top level is like and you just want to play with these types of players.
"In 2008, I remember being at home [for the final] and my nana was telling me to go to bed but I was like: ‘I need to watch the penalties’ and, obviously, we all know what happened.
"My mum and dad went out to watch the game but my nana was babysitting me. She kept telling me to go to bed but I don’t think she knew what game it was, and how big it was.
"I told her I needed to watch it!"
The Mancunian was excellent again in the 4-0 win over Norwich City at the weekend, earning a penalty after being fouled by Tim Krul. Although he should have opened his Old Trafford account with a chance at the far post from an Andreas Pereira cross, it was further evidence of his desire to get into the danger area on a regular basis.
Indeed, he was shortlisted for the Man-of-the-Match award, even if it ultimately went to two-goal Marcus Rashford.
The homegrown youngster is just determined to work hard and keep his place in the senior squad.
"It’s a really proud thing for me and my family," he said about his breakthrough. "I know what I’ve achieved but I want to keep on playing and play as many games as I can for this club.
“In the position I play in, you need that energy and to be strong on the physical side of the game to get up and down the pitch, and also to help defend and attack.
“Attacking is a big part of my game. I love driving forward and giving energy to the team and helping with our attacks. When I make those runs, you might make a run for yourself with the ball or you might make a run for someone else by creating space for somebody like Marcus [Rashford], or whoever is on the wing, to go in there and create their magic.”
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