A Man Utd star whose first appeal for more game-time fell on deaf ears has doubled down and turned the heat up on Erik ten Hag.
The Dutch boss has chopped and changed his full-back positions this season. Diogo Dalot’s injury issues since the World Cup have pressed Aaron Wan-Bissaka into action. However, it’s been a different story over on the left side.
Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have split time at left-back through Ten Hag’s choice rather than necessity. Shaw has also deputised at left-centre-back on occasion.
However, one player who’s not had a look-in all season is Brandon Williams.
The 22-year-old academy graduate operates primarily at left-back and has just a five-minute cameo to his name in the League Cup this term. He’s yet to make a single league appearance this season.
Williams did spend a sizeable portion of the early part of the campaign sidelined through injury. However, he’s been fit and raring to go since the World Cup, but has not found favour from Ten Hag.
Speaking in mid-January, Williams insisted he’ll show his manager exactly what he’s capable if he ever gets the nod.
“When I do get an opportunity, I will take it,” Williams told United’s official website. “I’ll show the manager what I am capable of.
“It’s been a hard couple of months because I’ve been taking in so much information and learning the manager’s gameplan and the way he does things. I really enjoy that and enjoy learning it and I feel really positive.”
Williams doubles down on game-time plea
Yet that plea fell on deaf ears despite United embarking on a mammoth fixture pile-up given they’re hunting trophies on four fronts.
Now, in a recent interview with Astro SuperSport, Williams has doubled down and ramped the pressure back up on Ten Hag.
The full-back said: “For me, obviously I had an injury that set me back but I’ve been back now for the last couple of months.
“I’m pushing hard to get some game time, I’m waiting for my chance and I’m sure that I’ll take it.”
Ten Hag previously stressed Williams is a part of his overall United plans, though that’s obviously not manifested itself in the form of minutes on the pitch.
Ten Hag said during the winter window amid speculation over a loan exit: “[Williams] had a bad injury, he’s on the way back, he was in the pre-season for the restart [after the World Cup in Spain] and now he’s in the squad.
“He was also in the selection for [Nottingham] Forest so he’s really a part of it.
“It’s also a little bit up to him but I like him, but we have to work with him and see where his developments can go.
“That is also about him, to find the moment where he can deserve his chance and take his chance. But when he wants a loan, we have to talk about that.”
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Man Utd shown what they’re missing by striker in even better form than Marcus Rashford
Even Marcus Rashford isn’t in as good form as one Manchester United transfer target.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has shown Manchester United why they are reportedly considering spending £100million for the Nigerian in the summer after scoring once again in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Luciano Spalletti’s outfit won 2-0 away to Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their last 16 tie, as the 24-year-old continued his spectacular form.
While Marcus Rashford has been on fire for the Red Devils by scoring 14 Premier League goals including six strikes in his last five games, Osimhen took his season’s tally to 19, including 18 goals in 18 Serie A starts. He has spearheaded the Napoli side that hold a 15-point lead at the top of the Italian league and could be set for a big-money move in the summer.
Both United and Chelsea could be set to battle for Osimhen as they have been linked with the striker along with Bayern Munich, and ahead of the game he was discussed by the BT Sport panel that consisted of Eni Aluko, Glenn Hoddle and Owen Hargreaves. The former Lioness star compared Osimhen to Didier Drogba and tipped Chelsea to battle United for his signature.
“Big comparisons to Didier Drogba, he was a superstar at the club,” Aluko said. “Chelsea could be in for this guy. They have spent all this money but that’s the kind of striker I think would suit Chelsea, Owen said it: he is probably the next big striker.”
Marcus Rashford could be paired with an expensive striker next season at Manchester United. (Image: Getty)
Hargreaves claimed that Osimhen would be the “next £100m player” in line with the price tag placed on him by Napoli, as United have already knocked on the Italian club’s door for their striker.
“Get the chequebook out! He’s next in line and if you are his agent then those numbers [Osimhen’s goal record] are important because he is probably the next £100m player that will come over to the Premier League,” Hargreaves added.
Manchester United target Victor Osimhen celebrating scoring for Napoli. (Image: Getty)
“You think Manchester United or Chelsea. A lot of teams would be desperate to have this guy, he has everything. I think he is very unique just because of his size and strength, obviously the numbers are important but I think he is the type of guy that you wouldn’t want to play against just because of his strength but the numbers are elite numbers. [Erling] Haaland has them, [Robert] Lewandowski has them and that’s why everybody is going to be looking.”
While Hoddle noticed a side to his game away from goalscoring that he was impressed with: “From what I have seen of him he looks like he plays for the team, there are times you think he is going to try and score but he has laid people on and done the right thing for the team.
“It is a massive added bonus for a striker, normally they are so single-minded but this kid plays for everyone.”
Source: teamtalk.com; express.co.uk
