"Once a Red, always a Red" - 23-year-old star sends heartwarming message as he leaves Manchester United
Manchester United left-back Brandon Williams has penned a touching farewell message after being released by the club. The 23-year-old had joined the club as a seven-year-old.
Rising through the ranks, Williams made his first-team debut in the 2019-20 season but struggled for game time at Old Trafford and has had multiple loan stints.
Having played just once for United in the last three seasons, Williams spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Ipswich Town. He scored twice in 17 outings across competitions, both in the league, as Ipswich finished second in the Championship to return to the Premier League after two decades.
Back at his parent club at the end of the season, Williams returned to United, who announced that the player will leave when his current deal expires at the end of the month. The 23-year-old penned a touching farewell message 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 teammates, especially the ones Iāve 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 THANKYOU 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 ! OVERANDOUTš«” ONCE A RED ALWAYS A RED"
Williams ends his United stint with a goal and an assist in 51 games across competitions.
Brandon Williams is not the only player set to leave Manchester United this summer
Brandon Williams is one of several Manchester United players who are confirmed to leave this summer. The others are Anthony Martial, Raphael Varane and reserve players Charlie McNeill, Marcus Lawrence and Kie Plumley, as per GOAL.
Veterans Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton and on-loan Shola Shoretire could also follow suit, with the trio - whose contracts expire this month - under extension talks with the club.
Among the aforementioned players, Martial has spent the most time at the club since arriving as a precocious teenager in the summer of 2015, contributing 90 goals and 47 assists in 317 games across competitions.