Man Utd defender gives update on his recovery from ‘difficult’ long-term injury

Brandon Williams has said he feels ‘great’ and added ‘it’s good to be back’ following a long-term injury this season.

The defender last played for Manchester United in a competitive game in May 2021 and spent last season on loan at Norwich City, before missing the first half of 2022/23 through injury. But the academy graduate has travelled with the Red Devils to Spain for the club’s mid-season friendlies against Cadiz and Real Betis.

Williams is expected to start for United in both games, especially with full-backs Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia still in Qatar at the World Cup. After a difficult period for the 22-year-old, he’s hoping to have a positive second half to the season at Old Trafford.

“Yeah, it’s been good [to be back training]. It’s been good to get back out on the pitch,” he told the club’s website.

“Seeing the boys train, fly out to countries… pre-season and stuff by myself, it was hard and difficult. But thanks to the physios and my team-mates and the people behind the scenes who have helped me a lot, helped with my mentality, not just with my body as well. I feel good, I feel great and it’s good to be back now.”

Williams played 50 times for United before he joined Norwich in August 2021 and the full-back feels his experiences in Norfolk made him mentally more robust.

“Norwich was a fantastic year for me personally, on and off the pitch. I learned a lot off the pitch because it’s so far away from home,” he explained.

“Everything’s in Manchester for me, but when I settled in I was fine, I was flying. I got an injury towards the end and then I got an injury which has kept me out now, so the start and the end part weren’t that good, but the middle definitely helped me as a player. It helped me off the pitch, on the pitch and I went there and I got what I wanted, which was game time.”

United play Cadiz on Wednesday before facing Betis on Saturday. The team will then return to Manchester and step up their preparations next week ahead of their first game after the World Cup, when they play Burnley in the Carabao Cup on 21 December.