Brandon Williams (footballer)
{{short description|English association football player}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Brandon Williams
| image = Brandon Williams 2021-08-07 1.jpg
| caption = Williams playing for Manchester United in 2021
| full_name = Brandon Paul Brian Williams{{cite web |title=2019/20 Premier League squads confirmed |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1335777 |publisher=Premier League |date=3 September 2019 |access-date=7 October 2019 }}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|9|3|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/brandon-williams/483294/ |title=B. Williams: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=25 September 2019}}
| birth_place = Manchester, England
| height = {{convert|1.82|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |title=Brandon Williams: Overview |url=https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/45465/mckenna-williams-had-premier-league-and-other-top-championship-interest |publisher=TWTD.co.uk |access-date=25 August 2023 }}
| position = Full-back
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2008–2019
| youthclubs1 = Manchester United
| years1 = 2019–2024
| clubs1 = Manchester United
| caps1 = 21
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2021–2022
| clubs2 = → Norwich City (loan)
| caps2 = 26
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2023–2024
| clubs3 = → Ipswich Town (loan)
| caps3 = 15
| goals3 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2019
| nationalteam1 = England U20
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2020
| nationalteam2 = England U21
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = 21:46, 18 January 2024 (UTC)
}}
Brandon Paul Brian Williams (born 3 September 2000) is an English professional footballer who is a free agent and last played as a full-back for Premier League club Manchester United. Although he mainly plays as a left-back, he has also been used as a right-back.{{cite web|first1=Sam|last1=Carney|url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/brandon-williams-admits-he-was-not-one-of-the-best-players-when-joining-man-utd-as-a-youth|title=Brandon Williams admits he wasn't 'one of the best'|date=9 November 2020|website=manutd.com|accessdate=9 November 2020}}
Williams is a graduate of the Manchester United youth academy and made his first-team debut in September 2019. He has represented England at under-20 and under-21 levels.
Early life
Williams was born on 3 September 2000 in Manchester.{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/brandon-williams-263504/ |title=Brandon Williams |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=27 September 2019}} He grew up in the Harpurhey area where he attended nearby secondary school Co-op Academy Manchester.{{cite web |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/brandon-williams-q-and-a-coop-academy-north-manchester-31-march-2021 |title=Q&A: Who are Brandon’s United heroes? |website=manutd.com |author=Lars Magnus Igland Røys |date=6 April 2021 |access-date=25 April 2025 }}
Club career
=Manchester United=
Williams was included in the Manchester United travelling squad for the UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain in March 2019,{{cite web |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-squad-vs-psg-15922629 |first=Liam|last=Corless|title=Man Utd squad vs Paris Saint-Germain includes Brandon Williams and Mason Greenwood|publisher=Manchester Evening News |date=6 March 2019 |access-date=28 November 2019}} but was not named in the match squad. He made his first-team debut on 25 September as a substitute in an EFL Cup match against Rochdale.{{cite web |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/match-report-man-utd-v-rochdale-carabao-cup-third-round |title=Match report: Man Utd v Rochdale Carabao Cup third round |website=ManUtd.com |first= Stuart |last=Mathieson|publisher=Manchester United |date=25 September 2019}} He made his first start on 3 October in the UEFA Europa League match against AZ Alkmaar.{{cite web |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/talking-points-from-az-alkmaar-v-man-utd-in-uefa-europa-league |title=Six talking points: AZ Alkmaar versus United |website=ManUtd.com |first= Mark |last=Froggatt |publisher=Manchester United |date=3 October 2019 }} Williams signed a new long-term contract on 17 October, keeping him at the club until June 2022.{{cite web |title=Brandon Williams signs new deal at Man Utd |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/brandon-williams-signs-new-contract |website=ManUtd.com |access-date=17 October 2019 |date=17 October 2019}} He made his Premier League debut on 20 October against Liverpool at Old Trafford as a late substitute.{{cite web |last1=Carney |first1=Sam |title=Manchester United v Liverpool 20 October Premier League match report |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/manchester-united-v-liverpool-20-october-premier-league-match-report |website=ManUtd.com |access-date=20 October 2019 |date=20 October 2019}} With Ashley Young suspended and Luke Shaw injured, Williams was handed his first league start on 10 November against Brighton & Hove Albion, playing 90 minutes before being substituted for Marcos Rojo in injury time;[https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/match-report-united-v-brighton-10-nov-2019 Manchester United 3 Brighton 1], Manchester United FC, 10 November 2019 he was voted Man of the Match by his club's fans.[https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/brandon-williams-named-man-utd-man-of-the-match-v-brighton Williams voted Man of the Match], Manchester United FC, 10 November 2019 On 24 November, Williams scored his first goal for Manchester United in a 3–3 draw with Sheffield United.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50449170 |first=Neil |last=Johnston|title=Sheffield United 3–3 Manchester United|publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 November 2019 |access-date=28 November 2019}}
On 4 August 2020, Williams signed a new four-year deal at United, with the option to extend a further year.{{cite web |title=Brandon Williams signs new deal with Man Utd |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/brandon-williams-signs-new-man-united-contract |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |access-date=4 August 2020 |date=4 August 2020}}
==Loan to Norwich City==
On 23 August 2021, Williams joined Norwich City on loan for the duration of the 2021–22 season.{{cite news |first=Harry |last=Robinson |title=Williams completes season-long loan move |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-utd-defender-brandon-williams-joins-norwich-city-on-a-season-long-loan |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=23 August 2021 |accessdate=23 August 2021 }} On 28 August, Williams made his debut against Leicester City in a 2–1 loss.{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Oscroft |title=Marc Albrighton's winner gave Leicester City victory at Carrow Road, leaving Norwich City still without a point after Kenny McLean's equaliser was disallowed. However, he didn't sign permanently as Norwich we're relegated at the end of the campaign |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58289651 |website=bbc.com |publisher=BBC |date=28 August 2021 |accessdate=30 August 2021 }}
==Loan to Ipswich Town==
On 24 August 2023, Williams joined Ipswich Town on loan for the 2023–24 season.{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Andy |date=24 August 2023 |title=Town Land Brandon Williams |url=https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2023/august/24/town-land-brandon-williams/}} On 26 August 2023, Williams made his debut against Leeds United in a 4–3 loss.{{Cite web |title=Leeds end Ipswich's perfect start with first win |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66552245 |website=BBC.co.uk |date=26 August 2023 |access-date=28 January 2024 }} On 30 September 2023, he scored his first goal for Ipswich Town against Huddersfield Town in a 1–1 draw.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66898754 |title=Tractor Boys go top and deny Darren Moore first win |website=BBC.co.uk |date=30 September 2023 |access-date=28 January 2024 }}
On 5 June 2024, Manchester United announced he would be leaving the club in the summer when his contract expires.{{Cite web |title=United announce official retained list |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-utd-announce-official-list-of-retained-and-released-players-2024 |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=www.manutd.com |language=en}}
International career
On 30 August 2019, Williams received his first England call-up for the under-20 squad ahead of fixtures against the Netherlands and Switzerland.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2019/aug/30/england-u20-squad-named-for-netherlands-and-switzerland-300819 |title=ENGLAND U20S OPEN SEASON AGAINST NETHERLANDS AND SWITZERLAND WITH A 21-MAN SQUAD|website=TheFA.com |first=Nicholas |last=Veevers|publisher=The FA |date=30 August 2019}} He made his debut during the 0–0 draw with the Netherlands at the stadium of Shrewsbury Town on 5 September.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2019/sep/05/england-u20-holland-match-report-050919 |title=ENGLAND U20S KICK OFF NEW CAMPAIGN WITH A GOALLESS DRAW AGAINST HOLLAND|website=TheFA.com |first=David |last=Moore|publisher=The Football Association |date=5 September 2019}}
On 5 October 2020, Williams received his first call-up to the England U21 squad.{{cite web |url=https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/oct/05/england-mu21s-squad-update-051020 |title=BRANDON WILLIAMS, RHYS WILLIAMS AND SAM SURRIDGE JOIN MU21S AS FOUR WITHDRAW|website=TheFA.com |publisher=The Football Association |date=5 October 2020}} Williams started and made his debut in a 3–3 draw against Andorra U21 on 7 October.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54386633 |title=Andorra U21 3–3 England U21 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 October 2020 |access-date=8 October 2020}}
Personal life
Williams' mother runs a greasy spoon cafe called Snack Attack at Harpurhey Market, with a number of photos and newspaper clippings about his career adorning the walls.{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |date=2024-09-17 |title=The complex story of Brandon Williams: His Manchester United career is over and his future uncertain |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5764645/2024/09/17/brandon-williams-manchester-united-future/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}
On 20 August 2023, Williams was involved in a traffic collision near Handforth. He was subsequently charged with dangerous driving and driving without insurance.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-19 |title=Man Utd footballer Brandon Williams denies dangerous driving |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clm382m9zmno |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Victor |first=Tom |date=2024-03-23 |title=Man Utd star Williams appears in court after 'laughing gas induced car smash' |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/brandon-williams-court-car-crash-32424149 |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=The Mirror |language=en}} On 14 March 2025 Williams pleaded guilty at Chester Crown Court to dangerous driving and driving without third party insurance.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-14 |title=Ex-Man Utd player Brandon Williams did 99mph before crash |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwye9p15xe2o |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
On 3 May 2024, Williams was disqualified from driving after accumulating 30 points on his licence.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Alan |date=2024-05-03 |title=Man Utd's Brandon Williams handed driving ban after getting 30 points on licence |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-united-brandon-williams-court-32731113 |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=The Mirror |language=en}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 29 December 2023}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|FA Cup !colspan=2|EFL Cup !colspan=2|Europe !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Manchester United U21
|colspan=1|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="6"|Manchester United
|2019–20{{soccerbase season|123378|2019|access-date=16 August 2020}} |17 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 8{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | colspan=2|— | 36 | 1 | ||
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|123378|2020|access-date=23 May 2021}}
|Premier League |4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6{{efn|Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | colspan=2|— | 14 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23{{soccerbase season|123378|2022|access-date=21 December 2022}}
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!21 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 51 | 1 | ||
| Norwich City (loan)
|2021–22{{soccerbase season|123378|2021|access-date=8 May 2022}} |Premier League |26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 29 | 0 | |||
| Ipswich Town (loan)
|2023–24{{soccerbase season|123378|2023|access-date=18 January 2024}} |15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 17 | 2 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!62||3||10||0||11||0||14||0||1||0||98||3 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Manchester United
- EFL Cup: 2022–23{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64693810 |title=Manchester United 2–0 Newcastle United |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=26 February 2023 |access-date=30 March 2023}}
- FA Cup runner-up: 2022–23{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65785637|title=Manchester City 2–1 Manchester United |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=3 June 2023 |access-date=3 June 2023}}
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2020–21{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57224112 |title=Villarreal 1–1 Manchester United |first=Simon |last=Stone |website=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2021 |access-date=26 February 2023}}
Ipswich Town
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.manutd.com/en/players-and-staff/detail/brandon-williams Profile] at the Manchester United F.C. website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Brandon}}
Category:Footballers from Manchester
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:England men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Manchester United F.C. players
Category:Norwich City F.C. players
Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players
Category:Premier League players