Brandon Williams admits his own folly after Manchester United rise
Brandon Williams, once a 19‑year‑old voted with confidence by Manchester United, now trains with Rotherham United in the third tier as he looks back on the choices that led to his steep decline. The former left‑back says his own immaturity and decisions are at the heart of the situation.
Rapid rise at Manchester United
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Williams enjoyed a season of affirmation and was treated internally as the owner of the left‑back spot ahead of Luke Shaw, consolidating his place in the Premier League. In the 2019/20 campaign he featured in 36 matches across all competitions, scored his first United goal and was named man of the match in a Europa League win over Partizan Belgrade. Solskjaer praised him as a player who “was not afraid” and was “brave as a lion”.
The sudden exposure proved overwhelming for the Manchester native. He lived with his mother in Harpurhey, and the Covid‑19 pandemic interrupted the season just as his career was taking off. Williams later called leaving his parents’ house to live alone “one of the worst decisions of my life”, saying he was “too immature” and should have stayed at home to keep the situation under control.
Downward spiral and current rebuild
After that breakthrough, his playing time fell sharply – only 14 appearances the following season, five as a starter, followed by a loan to Norwich and a stint at Ipswich Town. Returning to United under Erik ten Hag, he barely featured, logging just five minutes in the 2022/23 season, which deepened his sense of isolation. He described the darkness of not knowing his status: “You are just a passenger in that point.”
At Ipswich, manager Kieran McKenna gave him a fresh start, but by the end of 2023 McKenna sent him back to Manchester for two weeks to “get his head right”, after which Williams did not play again for Ipswich that season.
Now, at 25, Williams is training with Rotherham United during pre‑season, three divisions below his former club. His last full 90‑minute appearance came in November 2023 for Ipswich, and he remains unsure whether Manchester United will make a proposal. He told The Athletic, “I was immature and stupid. I look back now and think how much of an idiot I was.”
Williams also credits psychologist Michael Farrell, who has known him since United’s academy, for helping him get out of bed each morning and face the day with a coffee. “I learned from my mistakes. I take total responsibility for everything that happened to me,” he said, adding that he will pull himself out of the mess he created.