Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Brandon Williams, Manchester United, Football, Transfers
Ryan Smart
Topics: Brandon Williams, Manchester United, Football, Transfers
Former Manchester United defender Brandon Williams has been linked with a return to football with a surprise club after 18 months out of the game.
Williams was released by United last summer, ending an association with the club that dated back to 2008.
The 24-year-old had spent part of the previous campaign on loan at Championship side Ipswich Town, but suffered an injury in December and returned to Old Trafford for treatment.
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He spent the entirety of this season without a club and, in May, was given a 14-month prison sentence - suspended for two years - for dangerous driving.
Williams, who was driving with one female passenger and was 'showing off', a court heard, reached speeds of up to 99mph and hit a Ford Fiesta before crashing into a central reservation in Wilmslow.
Three people in the Fiesta suffered minor injuries, while Williams received hospital treatment for his injuries.
His defence lawyer told the court that the 24-year-old was 'genuinely remorseful' and 'has had to live with significant mental health and neurological issues'. It was added that he 'is in a better shape mentally and physically right now'.
Williams said in a statement following the verdict: "It was never my intention to cause injury to anyone but I am responsible for the standard of my driving, I make no excuses. I have learnt from this experience and will ensure there is no repetition."
The left-back is now nearing a return to professional football, according to a new report.
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According to the Daily Mail, he has held talks over a move to Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas.
The Istanbul-based club are managed by ex-United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who coached Williams at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer has already completed four signings this summer, including the arrival of experienced midfielder Joao Mario from Benfica and ex-Chelsea star Tammy Abraham on loan from AC Milan.
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The Norwegian is now in the market for a new full-back after allowing Arthur Masuaku to leave on a free transfer.
Williams played the majority of his United appearances at left-back but is equally capable at right-back, where he was deployed by Kieran McKenna - who he also worked under at Old Trafford - at Ipswich.
Whether he can now push on after over 18 months of inactivity remains to be seen.