Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has reportedly told defender Brandon Williams that he remains highly rated at the club and has a bright future at Old Trafford.
Williams was sent out on loan to Norwich this season and has been a regular starter for the Canaries since Dean Smith replaced Thomas Frank as manager in November.
The 21-year-old left-back was named Norwich’s Player of the Month for January after helping the club pick up crucial wins against relegation rivals Everton and Watford.
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His loan deal with Norwich expires at the end of the season and Rangnick has reportedly reassured the defender that he is part of the club’s plans moving forward.
A source told The Sun: “Brandon couldn’t play when United took on Norwich in December because of the loan deal agreement.
“He watched the game and was saying hello to some of the United players he is mates with when Rangnick made a beeline for him.
“He said he was aware of him, that he rated him and that he definitely wanted him back at United when the loan deal ends.
“So the message was ‘keep working hard and enjoying playing and you have a big future ahead of you at United’.
“Brandon was impressed because the manager had only been in charge for a couple of games and had a lot on his plate, but took time out to speak to him.
“The manager likes his speed and versatility as he can play in both full-back positions.”
Williams made his first-team debut for United in 2019 under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and would go on to play 17 times in the Premier League in the 2019-20 campaign.
He signed a new four-year deal at the club in August 2020 but would make only four appearances in the league last season, with Luke Shaw and Alex Telles preferred at left-back.
Williams was loaned to Norwich at the start of the season and has gone on to make 21 appearances for the club.
Speaking about his decision to leave United on loan, Williams told The Athletic: “I came to the point where I was at the age of needing to play football, not just sit there and lose years.
“I know being there and training with some of the best players in the world is good, but it is in the games where you learn a lot and get the experience, so I needed to get out and play.
“I just had to focus on myself. Thankfully the manager let me go.”
Topics: Manchester United, Football, Brandon Williams, Ralf Rangnick, Premier League, Norwich City
Rory O'Callaghan