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English Premier League
SportFootball
Andy Mitten

OpinionManchester United’s Brandon Williams impressing Old Trafford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and former left backs

  • Teenager named man of the match after impressing on English Premier League debut at Old Trafford
  • Left back leaves pitch to standing ovation after win against Brighton & Hove Albion

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Manchester United's Brandon Williams (right) shakes hands with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he is substituted during the English Premier League match against Brighton and Hove Albion. Photo: PA
Two former Manchester United players were working in the media section during Sunday’s English Premier League game between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion. Both were once left backs, and both were impressed by United’s 19-year-old Brandon Williams on his Premier League debut in that position after a first half in which he won all of his tackles. Williams was aggressive; he wasn’t intimidated and stood his ground when challenged. Williams would go on to win the man of the match award ahead of his young teammates.

“He’s good on the ball, he gets up and down well,” said Lee Martin, who scored the winning goal in the 1990 FA Cup final. “He’s enthusiastic, he’s a team player. He needs a run in the team because every young player needs experience. If you get a run of 10 games then you get used to first team football. It’s harder when you are in and out. It’s also good for Luke Shaw to have someone pushing him; it’s great to see another young lad coming through.”

The Mancunian Williams, who came through the club’s academy, was on the pitch because Shaw was injured and Ashley Young suspended.

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“He’s really comfortable on the ball,” added Lee Sharpe, a star of United’s early 90s sides. “He’s quick, competitive and plays it simple. He looks like he could be a proper player and it’s great that he’s got Harry Maguire to his side, Scott McTominay, Fred and Marcus Rashford around him. You need that as a young player and I speak from experience, but if he gets games then he’ll get better and stronger.”

Williams is a right-footed left back like former United and Irish international full-back Denis Irwin, because he switched sides at under-16 level at the suggestion of coach Kieran McKenna. Williams had the highly rated Ethan Laird ahead of him at right back.

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