Manchester United announced the retained list during the week, and one man who is set to be released as a result is Brandon Williams.
Manchester United academy graduate Brandon Williams became the latest player to be released this summer. This comes after the more notable releases of Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial along with another academy graduate, Charlie McNeill.
Williams had spent the past season away on loan at Ipswich Town where he helped them achieve promotion, but didn’t do enough to convince United of his merits to remain at the club.
After being released, Williams has taken to Instagram with a heartfelt message for the club and the fans.
Brandon Williams’ emotional farewell to Manchester United
A few days after he was announced to be departing when United confirmed the retained list, now Williams has shared a touching message to the fanbase and club which he has been a part of for most of his life.
The 23-year-old took to Instagram with a video compilation of him in action at various youth levels and the first team for United and accompanied it with a touching message.
“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 and day out.
“But to have been able to make brothers which will last a lifetime I want to thank my teammates, especially the ones I’ve 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! OVERANDOUT [salute emoji] ONCE A RED ALWAYS A RED [devil emoji]”.
Brandon Williams’ Manchester United career record
Despite the fact he won’t make it at United, Williams is still a very talented footballer who we expect to go on and have a successful career, at a solid level.
Despite spending two loan spells away at Norwich and Ipswich, Williams managed an impressive amount of appearances for United amounting to over a half-century.
Williams made 51 first-team appearances for United, scoring once and assisting once in that time. He also represented United heavily at every youth level which makes him a player we’d all have wanted him to succeed here.
It was under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that he broke through, and we’ll always remember those displays during the 2019/20 season when he filled in for Luke Shaw.