Man Utd announce completed transfer, with another in same position to quickly follow
Ipswich Town have completed the loan signing of left-back Brandon Williams from Manchester United - (image via official Ipswich Town website - www.itfc.co.uk)
Manchester United have loaned Brandon Williams to Ipswich Town and a key clause has been overlooked, while a second deal involving another left-back is gathering pace.
Williams, 22, did not make a single Premier League appearance for the Red Devils last term. The left-back did publicly call upon Erik ten Hag to give him a chance, though the opportunities weren’t forthcoming.
Luke Shaw is No 1 in the position and Tyrell Malacia provides more than adequate back-up. As such, speculation Williams would be among the United leavers this summer was rampant.
Talks over a loan move to Championship side Ipswich Town took place. Now, according to both Man Utd and Ipswich’s official websites, the move has crossed the line.
An option to buy in the loan deal was reportedly discussed. However, it’s understood no such option has been included in the final terms that have now been sealed.
As such, Williams will return to Old Trafford at the end of the 2023/24 campaign. At that point he’ll become a free agent unless Man Utd trigger the one-year option they hold in his contract.
“It feels good to be down here and I can’t wait to get started,” said Williams who’ll link up with former Man Utd coach Kieran McKenna at Portman Road.
“I’m coming here to hopefully get into the team and play a lot of games. There is some very good competition, which is a great challenge, but I’m excited to meet the players and get started.
“I played a lot of games when I broke through at United and have had a couple of tough seasons, too, so it’s good for me to get back out and start playing again.”
Williams – who’ll wear the No 18 shirt – continued: “Kieran was my youth team coach at United and from there we have had a great relationship. He has always had the standards of a coach at the top level and has had a big influence on me.
“He has always kept in touch with me to make sure I’m okay and I trust everything he says because he is great to learn off.
“I’m excited to work with him again.”
Another left-back exit coming?
Elsewhere, the Mirror and Sky Sports both report Man Utd are in ‘formal talks’ over sending Alvaro Fernandez to Granada, also via the loan route.
The 20-year-old Spaniard is also a left-back and Granada hope to include an option to buy in the deal.
However, United believed Fernandez could become an important first-team player down the line and will aim for just a straight loan.
Burnley and West Ham have also shown interest in Fernandez who was plucked from Real Madrid’s academy in 2020. However, it’s a return to Spain with LaLiga outfit Granada that is taking shape.
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