Manchester United
Man Utd tying down this 19-year-old rising academy star to a new contract is a fantastic move by Solskjaer
Why Man United have struck gold with a new deal for Brandon Williams
According to the Manchester Evening News, Man United starlet, Brandon Williams, has committed his long-term future at Old Trafford, with the 19-year-old putting pen to paper on fresh and improved terms until June 2022.
The Crumpsall-born teenage sensation has enjoyed an unprecedented rise in United’s first-team under the stewardship of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this term and was named Premier League 2 Player of the Month for September.
Williams, who rose through the youth ranks at Old Trafford, burst on to the scene in the U-18 Premier League during the 2016-17 season and featured in the UEFA Youth League in the following campaign before making a successful transition to the U-23 side the last term.
The 19-year-old left-back only made 5 appearances in the Premier League 2 in the previous campaign and featured predominantly for the U-18s but he has been fast-tracked into the senior ranks this term, with his talent and potential catching the eye of Solskjaer, who has made it a priority to blood up and coming academy prospects in the first-team.
Having made his England U-20 debut in August, Brandon Williams was handed his first-team debut for United in last month’s EFL Cup victory over Rochdale and the highly-rated starlet has capped off a fine start to the season by putting pen to paper on a new contract at Old Trafford.
The teenage prodigy started and played the full ninety minutes in United’s goalless draw away at AZ Alkmaar on Matchday 2 of the Europa League and was one of the few players to come away with some credit in what was another lacklustre team performance from the Red Devils.
Furthermore, he was an unused substitute in United’s shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United in the Premier League heading into the international break and Solskjaer’s love for homegrown youngsters means that the left-back is expected to enjoy more involvement in the coming months.
The likes of Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong, Axel Tuanzebe and Mason Greenwood have all been handed with opportunities to impress and it is not surprising to see that Williams has also been in the mix.
With Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo reminding time and again that their health cannot be trusted and Ashley Young very much in the autumn of his career at 34, the door is wide open for a promising youngster like Brandon Williams to stake a claim for a first-team role.
Given that Rojo has been tipped for an exit in the near future, the 19-year-old is virtually United’s third-choice left-back at the moment and Young’s potential departure is likely to catapult him up to second in the pecking order behind Shaw next season, unless, of course, United invest in a new left-back to add more cover to their squad.
Regardless of what happens in the upcoming transfer windows, Williams is likely to get more opportunities if he continues to put in the hard yards on the training ground and the new contract can certainly be regarded as a vote of confidence in the youngster’s abilities.
Moreover, with United planning for the long-term under the stewardship of Solskjaer, they have every reason to look at the 19-year-old as a regular starter in the years to come.
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Ideally, a loan move to a Championship club is likely to be the next big step in his development but if United feel that he is already good enough to cut the mustard, they might as well look to keep him at the club and afford him enough minutes on the pitch.
Either way, Man United’s decision to offer Brandon Williams a new deal is definitely a step in the right direction and one that clearly highlights the club’s renewed trust in their academy prospects.
Aston Villa
Bruno Fernandes Reveals What He Admires About Jess Park’s Game as Man United Captain Praises Fellow Number Eight’s Smashing Season
Bruno Fernandes is a big fan of Manchester United Women midfielder Jess Park. The Portugal international shares the number eight shirt with Park and has been impressed by her debut campaign following her summer move from Manchester City.
Park has registered nine goals and five assists since joining from crosstown rivals in an impressive first season. The England international has won United’s Player of the Month award a team high four times, which demonstrates her consistent quality.
Not as Easy as It Looks
Fernandes watched back some of Park’s best moments for United, including her Goal of the Month winner against the London City Lionesses. The midfielder came in off the left flank to beat her marker before driving into space and picking out the far bottom corner.
“It all starts with the first touch. She gets the control there away from the player, she gets a lot of space to then run. Then the speed to run quick like that and then to be very accurate with the shot, it’s a very good thing. It’s not as easy as it looks,” Fernandes explained, which is an absolutely spot on analysis.
Lot of Futsal in That Goal
The United captain also praised Park’s winner against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. Park helped start the move with a dribble from deep before getting into the box and finishing by picking out the far top corner.
“We spoke about the number eight shirt, and she was in the middle, creating and dictating the tempo. Then she follows up and she ends up in the box with the opportunity to finish. I think the finish is fantastic. There’s a lot of futsal in that goal there,” Fernandes said.
Very Quick With Her Feet
Fernandes watched Park’s solo effort at Aston Villa, which won another Goal of the Month prize. “She’s very quick with her feet and goes onto her left foot, which the defender was probably not expecting,” he acknowledged.
Also read: Hanna Lundkvist Makes Feelings Known After Manchester United Women Stalemate Against West Ham
Chelsea Dragon
Manchester United Women Star Pinpoints Unique Reason for Success as Red Devils Prepare for First Ever League Cup Final
Manchester United Women will face Chelsea in their first ever League Cup final on Sunday. The Red Devils will be aiming to win their second trophy in their history after their FA Cup victory in 2024 with summer signing Fridolina Rolfo one of the reasons behind United’s success this season.
In an interview with FourFourTwo, the Swede was asked how she felt about reaching a final in her first season at the club. “It feels great. We’ve been having a great season so far, and now reaching a final, it feels absolutely amazing. We are super excited because it’s these games you want to play, so we’re really looking forward to it,” Rolfo retorted.
Team Spirit Something Unique
One of the factors behind United’s success, which is frequently brought up, is that of the team spirit in the camp. Rolfo was also keen to address this and elaborated, “I would say that the team spirit is something unique and something we bring out with us on the pitch as well. We always work hard for each other, we push ourselves in training and in games, and we want to win together.”
She added, “Having such a good team spirit is what makes us more successful. We’re having fun together, and we enjoy being together.” Rolfo explained that she wants to help the team in any way she can, whether that is scoring, assisting, or just working hard, as they aspire to win a trophy.
Better Way to Go Into Game
Chelsea have already knocked United out of the FA Cup this season and boast a far superior record over Marc Skinner’s side. Rolfo chose to focus on the positives, though, and asserted confidently, “Not being a favourite, I think that’s almost the better way to go into a game. I prefer being an underdog than a favourite because if you’re a favourite, you have all the pressure on you.”
Also read: Chelsea Plan Bombshell Move For WSL Rivals’ Star as Blues Eye ‘This’ Manchester City Striker
Manchester City
Jess Park Opens Up: Lionesses Star on Joining Man Utd From Man City and Message of Freedom That Has Her Thriving Ahead of League Cup Final
There was less than an hour remaining in the Women’s Super League summer transfer window when the most stunning business of all was completed. Jess Park and Grace Clinton had been stalwarts at Manchester City and Manchester United, respectively, during the previous season, and yet at the eleventh hour, both were sent to opposite sides of the city.
It prompted criticism of United, with many questioning whether they had done enough summer business. That feeling intensified in the first half of the season when the club’s lack of depth played a part in their inability to mount a serious WSL title challenge. But no criticism can be levelled at the club for what they have done with Park.
Given Freedom to Find Spaces
Revitalised by the freedom handed to her by United boss Marc Skinner, who has crafted out a unique role for her on the pitch, the England international has helped this team reach the Champions League quarter finals and Sunday’s League Cup final. “Of course you’re going to be a little bit sceptical. But as soon as I hit the field, I heard the fans straight away, and that’s much appreciated. I’ve loved every minute of it,” Park tells GOAL.
Park plays like she is loving it, too. With six goals and four assists, it is already her best ever WSL season in terms of goal contributions, and there are still six games to play. That is on top of three goals in other competitions, including the crucial equaliser in the League Cup quarter final win over Tottenham.
Position is Just Where You Start
The position Skinner has put Park in has helped to bring that form out of her. At City, she was deployed in a more orthodox central midfield role, but at United, she has most often started on the right and been allowed to float into whatever spaces appear. Asked what the message has been in that role, Park says, “Have freedom, find the ball, find the spaces, find the pockets.”
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