Manchester United defender Brandon Williams could be on his way out of the club, with concrete interest from Brighton being reported on Saturday evening.
Following a quite unexpected emergence into the first-team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Williams made 50 United appearances in all competitions over two seasons before venturing out to Norwich on a season long loan in 2021/22.
Despite suffering eventual relegation, the 21-year-old put a solid individual campaign under his belt — making 26 Premier League appearances for the Canaries (29 all comps).
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The academy graduate never made it a secret that his goal following the loan was to come back and fight for a place at his beloved, boyhood club.
However, competition for places at United at the left-back position got even stiffer upon his return.
The Reds penned Tyrell Malacia to a deal almost immediately after new boss Erik ten Hag took over at Old Trafford. Luke Shaw and Alex Telles are of course still here, and youngster Alvaro Fernandez is starting to make noise from the U23s.
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In addition, going from bad to worse, Williams was not able to attend United’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia because of an injury, leaving him in a bit of a predicament.
His battle for a regular spot was an uphill one already. Not being able to audition in front of Ten Hag may have decided on his future.
With Telles being offered to other clubs and Fernandez looking for a loan as the potential future long-term option, Williams may just have to listen to permanent offers for his signature. Of all places to be, Brighton would not be a shabby destination.
Steve Bates of the Sunday People reported on Saturday that the Seagulls are interested in the 21-year-old as a potential Marc Cucurella replacement. The current Brighton left-back is flirting with United’s cross-town rivals, Manchester City.
The report also stated that Williams was identified by Graham Potter himself, and the deal — if it materializes — is rumoured to be in the region of £15 million.
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Brighton have emerged as a side that plays an extremely entertaining brand of football under Potter. Williams would pose an interesting option for a side that wants to continue on their upward trajectory.
Despite being a right footed left-back, Williams is technically savvy and comfortable on the ball. He’s a reliable passer and a willing defender, not afraid to receive under pressure or to make a last-ditch challenge.
The defender has also progressively improved going forward over the years.
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Long gone are the days in which Brighton want a destroyer of Dan Burn’s ilk to wreak havoc down their left-hand side. Under Potter, the Seagulls are interested in promising, talented footballers and Williams, at his age, would certainly fit that profile of player.
As mentioned above, with United so stacked at left-back, the club will likely not be fussy with an opportunity of boosting Ten Hag’s transfer kitty.
However hard it always is to let an academy graduate go, this type of profit would be hard to turn down — with Williams not really having a crystal-clear avenue into future first-team involvement.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Brighton And Hove Albion, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Brandon Williams, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Football, Premier League