Manchester United’s pre-season tour may be turning heads, but it’s an old name making headlines elsewhere.
While Ruben Amorim continues to mould his squad for the upcoming Premier League campaign, a familiar face has re-emerged under the radar — and it’s one that once offered immense promise at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have seen a number of their academy graduates move on this summer.
Among them are several fringe players, as Amorim sharpens his first-team focus.
Meanwhile, at Carrington, United’s staff remain on the lookout for updates on their former youth prospects plying their trade elsewhere.
One such player is Brandon Williams — and the 24-year-old full-back is now fighting for a second chance in football after an unexpected trial with Hull City.
Brandon Williams featured for the Championship side during their pre-season friendly against Sunderland on Tuesday night, coming on as a second-half substitute in the closing 20 minutes.
The appearance comes nearly two years since his last competitive outing during a short loan stint at Ipswich Town, with his last appearance recorded in late December 2023.
Brandon Williams officially left Manchester United on 30 June 2024, upon the expiry of his contract after being with the club since childhood , and found himself without a club — and without much momentum.
His situation was made more complicated after receiving a suspended prison sentence in May this year, having pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving without insurance stemming from an August 2023 incident.
Despite the controversy, Hull City head coach Sergej Jakirovic has extended an olive branch to the former United man.
“I like to help people because everyone deserves a second chance in life,” Jakirovic told Hull Live.
“I spoke with him very honestly and explained what I expect from him.
“We’ll be careful, very slow. We have time.”
Jakirovic added that Williams had trained instead of travelling for Saturday’s friendly and is gradually building up fitness.
Williams played 51 times for Manchester United, almost entirely under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and is now hoping his journey doesn’t end just yet.
