The 2025/26 campaign is almost upon us and Manchester United’s preparations are going perfectly according to plan.
After the 2024/25 season was so disappointing, many Manchester United fans were left hopeless ahead of the new season which meant Ruben Amorim had to oversee huge improvements.
This saw the first two weeks of pre-season key in an attempt to ingrain the 3-4-2-1 system and get an understanding of what was required from each individual and the team as a whole.
So far, this has been exactly what is happening, with United unbeaten during pre-season and Thursday morning saw the best performance yet from the Red Devils.
United thrashed Bournemouth 4-1 in a dominant victory for Amorim’s side against what was tipped to be the toughest opponents of the tour.
The goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Patrick Dorgu, Amad and Ethan Williams were all excellent and well worked, which saw United with several high performers in the victory.
But the biggest surprise star of the game had to be Williams.
Ethan Williams shares his joy after Manchester United goal
One of the biggest United winners was Williams, with the 19-year-old scoring a brilliant goal for the first team, which was his first at a senior level for the club.
After the game, Ruben Amorim praised Williams, admitting that he celebrated the youngsters goal.
Speaking to MUTV after the match, Williams has been speaking about what it means to score for United.
“Yeah it’s mad, it’s mad… I can’t believe it. It still hasn’t really sunk in to be honest, it’s a dream come true and bro I am just so happy right now for real.
“No for real I am thinking about all the moments and all the hard work I have been through, I just feel so blessed and so happy to be given this opportunity and to score it’s mad I can’t even explain how I am feeling to be honest.
“Kind of last minute [found out when he was going on tour], I was told I wasn’t then I was, and i remember not really jumping around my bedroom, but I was buzzing. I came and I’ve trained well, these guys are the best players I have ever trained with, if you know what I mean, so to be around it and learning every single day is a real blessing and I am just thankful for it all.”
Williams is a United academy talent and has came through the youth ranks which surely makes this a very special moment for the winger. But he will hope that this is just the start.
Ethan Williams is aiming to stay at Manchester United this season
Williams was initially expected to head on loan, however, after impressing Amorim during pre-season training, he was called into the squad to head Stateside and he has not looked back.
But United will be back in Manchester on Monday, and Williams isn’t guaranteed a place in the first team, however now he has revealed what he wants to do for the 2025/26 season.
“I can’t name anyone specific [who has helped him settle], everyone is so welcoming, everyone is so nice, it is a great group and they’re great with the young lads, obviously me and five or six others who are coming on our first tours so it’s great. I’d say everyone.
“I want to stay here, my long-term goal is to play for the first team, it would be a dream and it was a dream tonight to score so hopefully I can keep going, stay humble and progress around these great players.”
Williams clearly feels at home with United’s first team, and another strong showing against Everton or Fiorentina could see him force himself into Amorim’s plans for the new campaign.
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