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Football

15th Dec 2020

Two Premier League clubs keen to sign Man Utd’s Brandon Williams in January loan deal

Simon Lloyd

Two Premier League clubs are interested in taking the youngster on loan

Manchester United youngster Brandon Williams could be poised for a January loan move, after seeing his playing time at Old Trafford limited during the early months of the new season.

Williams was handed his United debut by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the start of last season and, with Luke Shaw injured, produced a string of impressive performances at left-back. He finished the season with 36 appearances to his name.

Despite adapting so well to first-team action, the 20-year-old has only played six Premier League minutes during this campaign, with the arrival of Alex Telles from Porto forcing him down the pecking order.

While Solskjaer is said to have blocked a loan offer for the full-back from Southampton in the summer, The Telegraph now report Ralph Hasenhuttl is keen to make a fresh approach in the new year as he seeks to bring in fresh competition for Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Bertrand. Williams’ ability to play on either side of the defence is thought to appeal to the south coast club, who would likely be able to offer him more minutes than he will get at Old Trafford in the months ahead.

Solskjaer’s stance is said to have softened, and the Norwegian could allow him to depart for the second half of the season. As well as Southampton, Newcastle United are also said to be interested in a similar deal. The same report claims Steve Bruce is awaiting clarity on the club’s budgets for the January window and may instead prioritise strengthening the club’s central defence and midfield.

Williams’ lack of recent first team opportunities saw the defender put himself forward to play in United’s recent Under23 derby with Manchester City in a bid to build his own match fitness.