Southampton are among a number of Premier League teams interested in taking Manchester United fullback Brandon Williams on loan in the January transfer window, according to reports in the UK.
The 20-year-old has made just two appearances so far this season and the arrival of Alex Telles from Porto means he is unlikely to get much game time at left-back, even with Luke Shaw injured.
Williams can also play from the right flank, though, and fans on Twitter have been discussing whether manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can afford to let him leave in the New Year:
Yes! He needs regular football.
— Osman (@Oz0687) November 24, 2020
Should be played in RB we’re screwed if Bissaka gets injured.
— Faisal (@Fasooly92725) November 24, 2020
Yes. He’s not good enough to be starting for us and sitting on the bench as the 3rd choice LB won’t help his development.
— RiZzy? (@RiZzyUTD) November 24, 2020
No we need a back up for AwB
— MO?? (@Mounitedx3) November 24, 2020
Yes he needs a loan to try get better
— lewis (@UTDLewi) November 24, 2020
Should be given a chance at RB
— Tony (@ItsTonyUtd) November 24, 2020
He is a RB technically and definitely should be used in his natural position to rest AWB.
— J.K (@Frillyrazor_) November 24, 2020
Definitely should. Southampton can definitely do something with Williams through Hassenhutl's guidance.
— Log (@LogMUFC) November 24, 2020
Nope… schedule about to get busy for us. Let him stay and play
— Lower Merrion 8/24 (@ThaGrea29639030) November 24, 2020
No, we have no RB cover if he leaves
— Tom (@UtdTgns) November 24, 2020
It’s a difficult one. Timothy Fosu-Mensah is not really a capable backup for Aaron Wan-Bissaka so if anything happened to United’s first-choice right-back, Solskjaer could be left short if Williams leaves on loan.
However, the defender needs to be playing regularly in order to aid his development and a six-month loan spell playing at another top-flight team could do him the world of good.