Manchester United defender Brandon Williams has firmly stated he wants to play regular football as he approaches the end of his loan spell at Norwich City.
The 21-year-old defender was sent on loan to the Canaries at the start of the campaign to get valuable Premier League experience. His time at Carrow Road started slowly under Daniel Farke, but the arrival of Dean Smith has seen him take up an integral role on the left side of Norwich’s defence.
While Norwich are still rock bottom of the Premier League, his dynamic and tenacious displays at left-back have still seen him garner plenty of praise. However, the Englishman hinted his desire for regular football could result in him looking for pastures new at the end of his loan spell.
“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,” Williams said in an interview with the Daily Mail.
“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.”
Williams appeared set to make the left side of United’s defence his own after a very bright start under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Shortly after being handed his full senior debut, Williams went on to make 17 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils in the 2019-20 campaign.
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However, Luke Shaw’s excellent form after the Coronavirus restart and the acquisition of Alex Telles the following transfer window saw Williams became the Reds’ third choice left-back. Despite United’s poor form this season, competition for places at the Red Devils remains extremely high.
“My first season with United was great. I played 36 games, 17 in the Premier League. Then lockdown came,” Williams added.
“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.
“I'm playing games now and I love it. I can't wait for the weekend so I can get to the stadium.” Williams’ Old Trafford future will likely become more uncertain as United are still yet to appoint a permanent manager.
Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino are the two favourites to replace Rangnick, who is expected to swap the dugout for the boardroom at the end of the season. And Williams sent a firm message to the next United boss, stating he has never been in a better footballing condition.
“I had a talk with the gaffer (Dean Smith) recently and he asked me, 'What have you learned’. Williams added. “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.”
