Brandon Williams has told Erik ten Hag that he's "sure" he'll take his chance at Manchester United, having seen his previous plea for more game-time ignored.
The 22-year-old full-back has been handed a mere five minutes of competitive football by Ten Hag thanks to a long injury layoff and his team-mates' fine form. Williams, who broke into the Red Devils' first-team during ex-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign, missed the first half of the season through injury and has since been unable to displace Luke Shaw or Tyrell Malacia at left-back, as well as Diogo Dalot or Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right.
Nearly a year ago, whilst spending last season on loan at eventually-relegated Norwich City, the United academy graduate made it clear that he wanted regular minutes this term and was ready to take his improvements "back up to Manchester in the summer." That was before Ten Hag was appointed as Solskjaer's permanent successor, with the Dutchman since being reluctant to throw Williams in after he returned from the sidelines.
Now the former England youth international has sent a direct message to Ten Hag in an interview with Astro SuperSport. "For me, obviously I had an injury that set me back but I've been back now for the last couple of months," Williams explained. "I'm pushing hard to get some game time, I'm waiting for my chance and I'm sure that I'll take it."
His comments echo what he told United's official website in January following his return from injury, vowing: "When I do get an opportunity, I will take it. I'll show the manager what I am capable of. It's been a hard couple of months because I've been taking in so much information and learning the manager's game plan and the way he does things. I really enjoy that and enjoy learning it and I feel really positive.''
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As for what the Red Devils boss has had to say about Williams, he affirmed during the winter transfer window that he was keen to keep the full-back around to help United cope with their hectic schedule. "He had a bad injury, he's on the way back, he was in the pre-season for the restart [after the World Cup in Spain] and now he's in the squad," Ten Hag declared.
"He was also in the selection for [Nottingham] Forest so he's really a part of it. It's also a little bit up to him but I like him, but we have to work with him and see where his developments can go. That is also about him, to find the moment where he can deserve his chance and take his chance. But when he wants a loan, we have to talk about that."
