Gary Neville backed Man Utd talent to ‘eat his opponents’, now he’s been released

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Manchester United announced their official ‘retained list’ on Wednesday.

And while bidding farewell to a handful of youngsters – Charlie McNeil among those saying his goodbyes – there were a couple of high-profile, high-earning players on the list of departures too.

Raphael Varane, as we already knew, made his final appearance in the iconic red shirt of Manchester United in May. And what a way to bow out. Varane was colossal in that FA Cup final triumph over Man City at Wembley.

Anthony Martial, still under the curse of the injury gods, was denied the chance to ride off into the glorious sunset. The long-serving Frenchman still departs, however, with a special place in the hearts of some. Those stunning finishes against Liverpool, Chelsea, Watford and more – that thrilling run in lockdown under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – will not be forgotten in a hurry.

Manchester United officially confirm summer departures

Manchester United, while confirming that talks over new deals for Jonny Evans, Tom Heaton and Omari Forson were ongoing, also said goodbye and good luck to another man who enjoyed the best spell of his Man United career alongside Solskjaer during that 2019/20 campaign.

Brandon Williams, Mancunian born and fleetingly something of a cult hero for his all-action style and full-blooded tackles, will not be returning for 2024/25.

That doesn’t really come as a surprise, of course. Williams has made only one of his 51 first-team appearances since in the last three years, having spent time away from Old Trafford during loan spells in East Anglia with Norwich City and Ipswich Town.

Like Martial, Varane, Evans and co, his contract expires at the start of July.

“Academy graduate, Brandon Williams will leave United following the expiry of his contract,” reads a statement on the Man United website.

“The full-back, who joined the club at the age of nine and proudly went on to make 51 first-team appearances, will always be welcome back at the club through the Alumni programme.”

Brandon Williams leaves alongside Martial and Varane

What the future holds for the now-23-year-old full-back, only time will tell. Though injuries denied him the chance to play a key role in Ipswich Town’s Premier League return under Kieran McKenna, Williams did make quite the impression during the first half of last season at Portman Road.

There will surely be plenty of clubs – certainly in the Championship and maybe in the bottom half of the Premier League – willing to take a punt on a youngster who’s versatility, two-footedness, aggression and enthusiasm could make him one of the summer’s best bargains.

“I like Brandon Williams,” Gary Neville, who knows a thing or two about life as a full-back, wrote on X after a superb display in the 1-0 FA Cup victory over Wolves back in 2020.

“What I like about him specifically is he has that look in his eye of someone that would eat his opponents nose to win the match. Keep going kid!

“Oh he can play football too, which is always a bonus.”