Bizarre Luke Shaw claim highlights one decision Manchester United definitely got right

When Manchester United issued their end-of-season retained list in June, it came as no surprise to see that Brandon Williams was going to be released.

The left-back had not made a competitive appearance for United since December 2022 and last season's loan spell at Ipswich Town had resulted in just 17 appearances.

It was his second season-long loan away from Old Trafford in the space of just three seasons, previously spending the 2021/22 campaign at Norwich City.

Released by United in June, it was anticipated Williams, who has 47 Premier League appearances to his name, would not be short on offers. However, more than three months after United announced who they would be releasing, he is still without a club.

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Capable of playing at both right-back and left-back, it was not all that long ago that Williams was considered one of the country's hottest prospects as far as full-backs were concerned.

He made his United debut in September 2019, aged 19, and ended up making 36 appearances in what was considered his breakthrough season. He became a regular member of the squad under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019/20, featuring 17 times in the Premier League alone, as well as making the bench on a further 12 occasions.

At the time, it was felt the youngster could offer competition and support for first-choice left-back Luke Shaw, who made 33 appearances in the aforementioned campaign.

Amid Shaw's injury struggles, Williams often deputised and chalked up more appearances than he probably would have imagined that season. He offered flashes of promise and was a key fixture in their run to their Europa