Man United defender Brandon Williams seen 'inhaling nitrous oxide' as government crackdown on the legal high

Manchester United defender Brandon Williams has caused a stir after a video circulating appeared to show him inhaling nitrous oxide.

The clip, of which the exact date of filming is unknown, was published by The Sun and sees the 22-year-old in a £60,000 Mercedes Brabus supercar not far from the club's Carrington training base.

He appeared to breathe in the legal high, sometimes referred to as "hippy crack", through a balloon in his mouth before passing a canister to a friend in the driving seat.

The video looks to be filmed from another vehicle near a car park and will undoubtedly not go down well with manager Erik ten Hag, who has been give him just five minutes of game-time in all competitions this season.

“It was so obvious to anyone driving by what he was doing," a witness told The Sun.

"Anyone who follows United or football seriously would have recognised him instantly. It’s irresponsible considering he’s a public figure.

“He’s meant to be a role model for youngsters and upcoming footballers.

“Taking that rubbish, especially so casually, could be hindering his ability on the pitch.

"There is no doubt his manager will not be impressed by it.

"He expects his players to be completely devoted to their career, especially when they are attempting to break into the side.”

To be in possession of nitrous oxide is not illegal but supplying it is. In recent years it has proved incredibly unpopular amongst young people, who get a short high whereby they go light-headed.

It can result in laughing fits and hallucinations but inhaling it does have plenty of side effects - ranging from headaches, dizziness and paranoia.

Regular use can run the risk of causing vitamin deficiency, anaemia and nerve damage, with hospital admissions on the rise.

The government are making an emphatic effort to crack down on the gass, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledging a "zero-tolerance approach".

"We're going to put an end to groups of young people using nitrous oxide, so-called laughing gas, by banning it," the PM wrote in the Daily Mail.

"And we're going to expand drug testing on arrest, to include drugs such as ecstasy and cannabis, as well as extending the range of situations that can trigger a drugs test in the first place."

Williams came through the United academy and has played 51 times for the first-team. He spent last season on loan at Norwich City.

Manchester United declined to comment when approached.