Manchester United want to sell Brandon Williams amid ‘genuine’ Leeds United transfer interest – Ben Jacobs
Leeds United have a “genuine” interest in Brandon Williams for whom there is “no pathway” at Manchester United, according to Ben Jacobs.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT (6 August) the CBS journalist said that the left-back hasn’t had the opportunities to impress Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford and the club would prefer to sell him than send him on loan again.
The Whites had been expected to see Junior Firpo leave this summer but the 26-year-old is currently one of a number of injuries Daniel Farke is having to contend with, leading Leo Hjelde to start on the left of the defence against Cardiff City before the Norwegian struggled and was replaced by Sam Byram at half time.
Jacobs said of a Williams deal: “Leeds’ interest is genuine and Manchester United’s desire is to sell Williams rather than send him out on a loan deal.
“It’s been difficult for Williams because he’s only 22 still and hasn’t had any significant opportunities to make an impression on Erik ten Hag.
“That was partly due to an injury at the beginning of last season, and now there’s just too many left-backs, so there’s clearly no pathway for Williams.”
Priority
Whether Firpo is fit or not Farke is surely going to need a new option at the position as the former Barcelona man has struggled to produce any consistent performances in his two years with the club.
Leeds United muddled through the first half of last year with Pascal Struijk filling in and attempted to do the same in the 2-2 draw in the season opener with the returning Hjelde, but the teenager was easily beaten for Cardiff’s second goal before he was withdrawn.
But both are converted centre-backs, and with Stuart Dallas also unavailable after more than year out of action since breaking his leg left-back is once more a problem position at Elland Road.
Byram did fairly well in the second half during his second Whites debut, and his versatility to fill in across the back line is the reason why Farke has brought him back.
However, even the former Norwich man is not a specialist at the position and he wasn’t put under much pressure defensively to judge whether he could be relied upon for a run on the left.
Farke took Williams on loan to Carrow Road but only briefly managed him as he was fired a month later, but with the 22-year-old’s prospects looking dim at Old Trafford there is reason to see an Elland Road move as a good one all round.
It likely will come down to affordability since the Whites budget has been restricted by so many cheap loan exits, but if enough money is available to get a deal done it might finally provide a long-awaited answer at the left-back spot.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have reacted to what happened in the draw against Cardiff by tabling a bid for a player who has accepted the move.