Forgotten Man Utd star vows to prove Ten Hag wrong after Dutchman ruthlessly ignored first plea
A Man Utd star whose first appeal for more game-time fell on deaf ears has doubled down and turned the heat up on Erik ten Hag.
The Dutch boss has chopped and changed his full-back positions this season. Diogo Dalot’s injury issues since the World Cup have pressed Aaron Wan-Bissaka into action. However, it’s been a different story over on the left side.
Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have split time at left-back through Ten Hag’s choice rather than necessity. Shaw has also deputised at left-centre-back on occasion.
However, one player who’s not had a look-in all season is Brandon Williams.
The 22-year-old academy graduate operates primarily at left-back and has just a five-minute cameo to his name in the League Cup this term. He’s yet to make a single league appearance this season.
Williams did spend a sizeable portion of the early part of the campaign sidelined through injury. However, he’s been fit and raring to go since the World Cup, but has not found favour from Ten Hag.
Speaking in mid-January, Williams insisted he’ll show his manager exactly what he’s capable if he ever gets the nod.
“When I do get an opportunity, I will take it,” Williams told United’s official website. “I’ll show the manager what I am capable of.
“It’s been a hard couple of months because I’ve been taking in so much information and learning the manager’s gameplan and the way he does things. I really enjoy that and enjoy learning it and I feel really positive.”
Williams doubles down on game-time plea
Yet that plea fell on deaf ears despite United embarking on a mammoth fixture pile-up given they’re hunting trophies on four fronts.
Now, in a recent interview with Astro SuperSport, Williams has doubled down and ramped the pressure back up on Ten Hag.
The full-back said: “For me, obviously I had an injury that set me back but I’ve been back now for the last couple of months.
“I’m pushing hard to get some game time, I’m waiting for my chance and I’m sure that I’ll take it.”
Ten Hag previously stressed Williams is a part of his overall United plans, though that’s obviously not manifested itself in the form of minutes on the pitch.
Ten Hag said during the winter window amid speculation over a loan exit: “[Williams] had a bad injury, he’s on the way back, he was in the pre-season for the restart [after the World Cup in Spain] and now he’s in the squad.
“He was also in the selection for [Nottingham] Forest so he’s really a part of it.
“It’s also a little bit up to him but I like him, but we have to work with him and see where his developments can go.
“That is also about him, to find the moment where he can deserve his chance and take his chance. But when he wants a loan, we have to talk about that.”
