Gary Neville caused quite a stir with his recent comments about the Brandon Williams of Manchester United. The 19-year-old, he joked, looks like someone who wouldeat his opponents nose in order to win a suit. He could play soccer too, and it is a bonus, he added.
It was glowing compliments – if a bit unconventional – but that there was a much bigger compliment every day earlier when, for the first time this season, Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo put Adama Traore around the left flank rather than the right for his sides FA Cup replay at Old Trafford.
Strength traores speed and skill make him a proposition for any defender. Ask Andrew Robertson. However, Manchester United kept him quiet to such an extent at Molineux which Nuno felt compelled to modify his dangermans position for their next meeting.
Brandon was playing one of the fastest, strongest wingers in the Premier League, the one with all the most dribbles, and he did excellent, said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following the first match. Every battle we have placed in front of himhe has tackled head on, he added after the minute.
The way Williams dealt with Traore was typical of his senior breakthrough. This time this past year, he had been to feature in a squad. The academy graduate – a player who did travel to Uniteds pre-season tour – seems unflappable at senior level. Williams has usurped Luke Shaw as and seems likely to remain there.
This season also there were hard moments for Williams too and has not been straightforward for anyone at Manchester United.
He had been attracted at the 2-0 loss to Liverpool and sacrificed again to Burnley. But hes never looked out of place. His evolution has been among few bright spots for Solskjaer. Its telling that he was held back to the FA Cup clash with Tranmere Rovers ahead of Wednesdays Manchester derby at the Carabao Cup.
Williams set the tone for what was going to come this season with an assured display on his first start, off to AZ Alkmaar at the Europa League in October, and that there was high praise after his moment, against Partizan, when he won Uniteds decisive penalty from the hostile surroundings of Belgrade.
For me, Brandon was one of the game, said Solskjaer following the 1-0 win. He has been fantastic in the couple of games hes playedwith. The boy has no fear, he is as brave as a lion and he got the win. Brandon has an attitude. The boy will be a top, top player.
Williams was similarly remarkable when he made the step to the Premier League from your Europa League, squaring up to the Neal Maupay of Brighton at November in the Identical manner he didnt Wolves Pedro Neto recently. There was a target that is great with his foot against Sheffield United. Then he won a penalty.
Nevertheless, it. Of Manchester Uniteds 13 clean sheets this year, seven have come in games in which Williams has begun. It is all the more impressive when you consider he has started under 40 percent of their fittings. The figure is likely to be higher by the campaigns close.
When youre a young player coming through at Manchester United, you need to play your game, former Manchester United defender Wes Brown, a participant who followed the same route as Williams beneath Sir Alex Ferguson during the late 90s, tells Sky Sports.
That is what Brandon has done when he has come . All eyes were on Mason Greenwood at the time we understood what he was capable of from the U23s, but Brandon went into the side and shone personally and because there was a lot of buzz about him and that is exactly what you would like.
I probably didnt believe he was quite prepared yet, having seen him in the U23s, however hes come in and revealed that he is more than ready. Hes looked comfortable against a number of the specialists hes played who have already been doing it.
His defending is equally good and he receives forward. Hes settled in brilliantly and thats all you can ask from your young players, although he must have had another goal in the game against Norwich. You just need them to sit in and do what they do on the practice pitch on the large stage.
There may not be any doubt that the point holds no fear for Williams and he has demonstrated strength in adversity. His work-rate rarely drops which was especially evident against Burnley a week after, despite coming off with 21 minutes still to play, he made more high-intensity sprints (17) than any other player on the pitch.
It is little miracle Solskjaer sees him as an example to the club other academy hopefuls and it is even more encouraging that Neville and Brown, two senior players that know exactly what it takes to become a profitable Manchester United full-back, watch him in the identical manner.
I am a lover now, so when the young lads come in who have been at the club for a long while, I really like to view it, states Brown. Brandon has contributed Ole a hassle in terms of selection, because whenever he has played hes been excellent. Now, another young players coming will see him well and know there is a possibility of them as well.
That things at a club like Manchester United. A club which, for most of its problems celebrated 4,000 consecutive games in the squad. You can be certain that Brandon Williams can do whatever is necessary in order to remain there.
View Manchester City vs Manchester United at the Carabao Cup live from 7pm on Wednesday; Kick-off 7.45pm
Receive All of Sky Sports for #20 additional a month
more