As José Mourinho’s confrontational era came to an end, things inside the locker room had become very toxic with team morale at an all time low.
Enter Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a man who boosted morale and scored positives in the process that earned him a permanent hot seat at Old Trafford.
In the end, their almost three-year reign ended without United adding any trophies, but there were quite a few memorable moments along the way.
Aside from some clever signings, the Norwegian’s reign was marked by a steady influx of academy talent into the first-team squad.
One player who grabbed the headlines after his sudden appearance in the 2019-20 season was Brandon Williams, who managed to give Luke Shaw a chance to fight to be the team’s left back.
Brandon Appearance
Since then his minutes have dwindled, forcing the club to send him on loan to Norwich City last season, where he played 29 times in all competitions.
While the 22-year-old couldn’t save the Canaries from relegation, the experience of playing day in and day out in a high-pressure environment did him a lot of good.
But an injury sustained during pre-season meant he missed United’s pre-season tour and all games afterward. But ultimately, Williams looks fit and ready to claim a place in Ten Hag’s plans for the rest of the season.
???? | Brandon Williams#MUFC pic.twitter.com/EXug9LYPbF
— The United (@TheUtdID) December 4, 2022
“[Brandon had] a serious injury, and he really struggled, but he is in the right direction,” the Dutch coach replied when asked how the academy graduate’s recovery is faring.
“He’s fine, he’s back on the field and next week he’ll be back in team training. He will go with us to the training camp in Cádiz, he will be available for the team so that [I’m] happy for him,” Ten Hag was quoted as saying by club media.
The mancuniano was spotted in training with the rest of his teammates and is in line for minutes in Spain against Cádiz and Real Betis if he can impress in training.
Deputy RB put into play
His return from injury couldn’t have been better timed. While the left-back role might be too far a bridge considering the presence of two high-achieving players in Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, the backup right-back role is there for the taking.
So far this season, Diogo Dalot has started in all games except one in which he was suspended after accumulating five yellow cards. The left back Malacia had to substitute that day and it was difficult for him to say the least.
However, given that Williams is a right-handed player and his experience of playing in that position during his academy days and under Solskjaer, it could work its way into the manager’s plans.
The Red Devils are on the hunt for a right-back to replace Dalot and with Aaron Wan-Bissaka apparently leaving the club in January, the academy graduate could be the one to benefit if the club fails to secure any of their preferred targets. .
All Williams, who has won 50 caps for his boyhood club, now has to do his best and show his usual ferocity and never-give-up attitude during the two Spain friendlies and he could resurrect his career. at United.
