On the Manchester United touchline, Brandon Williams is on the verge of returning to the team and Southampton are going all out to try and complete a loan move for him so that he can contribute to the team in the new season.
Southampton's desire is not without reason, as the Daily Mail revealed that the two clubs have entered into intensive talks on the matter. Southampton have a strong and confident interest in the 20-year-old youngster. Southampton launched a bid for the "new Erwin" from Manchester United in the transfer window last summer and this winter.
However, Solskjaer twice opted to keep Williams. Despite a strong 2019/20 season in which he made 36 appearances, his appearances for United plummeted to 14 last season, with just five of those as a starter. Currently, United have Luke Shaw and Tellez in the left-back position, while the right-back has Wan Pisaca and the soon-to-be-returning Darlow. Even if England international Trippier does not join the club, Williams will inevitably have to sit through the bench if he stays at United.
Against this backdrop, both Williams and United agreed that he should be loaned out and Southampton's strong willingness to do so led to a three-way agreement, with a loan move only awaiting time to be confirmed.The Athletic are reporting that Southampton will take on all of Williams' salary at United. His salary is in the middle of the range at United, at £43,000 a week, which is within Southampton's budget.
Williams has returned to Carrington to take part in United's pre-season training, but it was only a matter of time before he left. He will head to St. Mary's Stadium in Southampton where he faces equally stiff competition. Hasenhuttl's side have signed new left-back Peyraud, with Walker Peters, who has been selected for England, preferred at right-back, while there is still a vacancy at wing-back after flanker sensation Bertrand has moved to Leicester City on a free transfer.
With Williams' ability to play on both the right and left wingbacks, a loan move to Southampton, where the bench is short of depth, will surely see him get more appearances over the course of a season than he did at United. The Saints were impressed with Williams' style of play in Southampton's 2-2 draw against United two seasons ago. He collided with future rival Walker Peters, bleeding his head, and it is this gritty style of play that has been the foundation of Southampton's play in recent years. Therefore, a loan move to Southampton for United's 'new Erwin' may be timely.
Aside from Williams, the first batch of players to return to United's summer training are Tuanzebi, James Garner, Tahith Chong and Facundo Peristeri. Among them, Tuanzebi and Garner are targeting other teams in the Premier League, Uruguayan youngster Peristeri may continue to La Liga, while Chinese-Dutch talent Tahith Chong, may only be able to look for his next home in second or third tier leagues such as Belgium.
