Ex-Man Utd star Brandon Williams makes heartbreaking admission and lifts lid on darkest days

Brandon Williams looked to have a bright future at Manchester United after making his debut in 2019 but the defender was released last summer and recently made a court appearance

Former Manchester United defender Brandon Williams has revealed that it ‘hurts’ to watch football after being released by the club amid his off-the-pitch struggles. Williams, 24, wasn’t given a new contract by boyhood club United last summer and remains a free agent.

The left-back hasn’t played a competitive match since December 2023. That was when he was on loan at Ipswich Town working under ex-United assistant coach Kieran McKenna.

Williams recently pled guilty to dangerous driving, admitting that he crashed his car after driving at 99mph in August 2023. The court heard that he’d been accompanied by a female passenger and was seen with a balloon in his mouth. Williams could face up to two years in prison when he’s sentenced on May 9. Ahead of his court date, the 24-year-old has opened up on his ‘dark’ time after United, who signed him aged seven.

Speaking to ex-United goalkeeper Ben Foster on an episode of The Fozcast – which will be released in full on Thursday – Williams admitted: “It hurts me watching football now because I just want to be there, I just want to play. I miss being in a team, on the coach. I just think it’s that thing where it gets too much for somebody sometimes.”

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Williams also suggested that his break from football could benefit him. “Maybe I needed that break, to just like take everything in, to reset,” he added. “I know I’m working hard, I know I’m trying to get back fit. It’s just down to me to do that and to get back.”

After former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed him his debut in 2019, Williams’ career looked promising. He made a total of 36 appearances for the Red Devils in his breakthrough season, scoring his first goal against Sheffield United.

Having been given less minutes in the 2020-21 campaign and after a challenging loan with newly-promoted Norwich City the following season, Williams made just one appearance under Erik ten Hag. He then played 17 times for Ipswich last term, scoring twice as they won promotion to the Championship.

After he was released by United in June 2024, Williams posted on Instagram: “I always hoped I would have never had to make this post but here we are. Since the age of 7 this Manchester United football club has been part of my life from the cliff to Carrington day in day out.

“But to have been able to make brothers which will last a lifetime I want to thank my team-mates, especially the ones I’ve shared the past 17 years with. Thank you to the staff the kitmen, maintenance workers, security, and physios I could go on and on you were all amazing and of course the coaches.

“Then most importantly THANK YOU to you fans the backbone of the club the reason we work so hard for to be able to perform at the highest level because you all deserve it. Watch this space! OVER AND OUT. ONCE A RED ALWAYS A RED.”

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