Manchester United transfer stance might have given forgotten man a lifeline

For all the talk of change, Manchester United have remained just as bad as ever at getting rid of players in the summer transfer window. There are just under four days left before the deadline, and Erik ten Hag's side have yet to sell one senior player permanently, with their exits reduced to loan deals, some of which have an option to buy at the end of them.

United only have themselves to blame, though there are a few cases of mitigation thrown in there, with injuries playing a part in the future of a trio who were available to leave.

Ten Hag confirmed at a press conference last Friday that Axel Tuanzebe, Phil Jones and Brandon Williams could have all left if not for injury, though there is little evidence to suggest the club would have managed to shift them anyway.

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"It can be [that they leave] but, who you are talking about, they are, in this moment, not available. So I don’t think they will go out in this window,” Ten Hag explained.

Due to injury, Williams was one of those who missed out on a place on the summer tour, but now he is nearing match fitness and is eager to return to the field with his trademark energy and aggression.

The 21-year-old might not be a complete full-back, but what he lacks in talent he more than makes up for in commitment and workmanship, two traits key under the guidance of Ten Hag.

It was at right-back where Williams shone at youth level, providing an attacking threat from defence at the start of the academy season back in 2019, before being given a chance in the first-team by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Yet it is on the left where he has made the bulk of his senior appearances, ever since he came on in that position for his debut