Exit deal for Man Utd youngster is ‘advancing’ as former boss eyes reunion with Ten Hag outcast

Ben Stewart
Manchester United defender Brandon Williams
Manchester United defender Brandon Williams

Manchester United youngster Brandon Williams is set to spend the season out on loan and the defender could leave Old Trafford on a permanent basis.

Erik ten Hag is keen to shift several unwanted stars off the wage bill between now and the end of the transfer window.

The likes of Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek, Eric Bailly and Dean Henderson are among the players that could depart between now and the end of the window.

In the case of Williams, an agreement with Ipswich Town is said to be close according to Fabrizio Romano.

“Negotiations between Ipswich Town and Manchester United for Brandon Williams are advancing. Loan deal to include buy option clause,” Romano reported on Twitter.

“Williams, in the list of players expected to leave Man United by the end of the window.”

A move to Ipswich could be the best thing for Williams right now as he would get the chance to work with Kieran McKenna once again.

McKenna will already know Williams well from his time working at the Man Utd academy and he could be the right coach to get the defender back on track.

The former Man Utd coach worked as the under-18s manager from 2016–2018 before he was promoted to the first-team coaching staff.

Still only 22 years old, Williams has a bright future in the game, but there’s no doubt that his career has stalled of late.

The defender hasn’t played much football over the past 12 months and a loan spell to the Championship would suit him well.

Ipswich clearly see the long-term value in the Man Utd star as they are keen to include a buy option clause in the deal.

Earlier this month Ten Hag confirmed that Williams and Van de Beek were exploring new options this summer.

“We need players who are totally with their heads in our team,” said Ten Hag, via the Manchester Evening News.

“And, I wouldn’t say [Williams, Donny van de Beek], they are not, but it’s also obvious in this moment they are looking for something else.

“But when they are here, they always do their best and they do every training.

“Brandon, Donny, I am pleased with their performance and also pleased with their performance in pre-season, Brandon, Donny, and some more did a very good pre-season.”

Ipswich have had an excellent start to the new Championship season as they currently sit top of the table with a maximum of nine points.

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