Brandon Williams has spoken candidly about his challenging period at Manchester United, admitting that he felt unable to fully express his difficulties at the time due to concerns about potential repercussions.
Williams, 24, was released by Manchester United last July after several loan spells and a decline in playing form.
The defender has not played a competitive game since December 2023 and has been without a club since last summer.
Williams has now opened up about the “dark” period and personal issues that surrounded his departure from Old Trafford and his loan stint with Ipswich Town in the Championship.
Last month, Williams admitted guilt to dangerous driving and driving without insurance after a high-speed accident.
Chester Crown Court heard that Williams reached speeds of 99mph with a balloon in his mouth before being involved in a 74mph crash in August 2023. His sentencing is scheduled for May 9.
Williams was sent back to Manchester prematurely from his loan at Ipswich. Manager Kieran McKenna, familiar with Williams from his time in the United academy, advised him to focus on his off-field problems.
Speaking on Ben Foster`s Fozcast podcast, Williams described being unable to get out of bed and the concern of his family and friends. These issues were partly triggered by friends who had “stabbed him in the back”.
He stated, “My friends were worried about me, Angel Gomes, Jimmy [James] Garner, and D’Mani Mellor. I wasn’t training, I was staying in my apartment, not moving, not going out.”
He added, “At that point, I did lose my passion for football. It was becoming too much for me. There were issues with friends, friends betraying me.”
“I was ignoring my family, not really talking to them. They were very worried about me, and so were my friends. They could see things weren`t right.”
The former England youth international also disclosed that he reached a point at Manchester United where he “couldn`t be bothered” to train, contrasting with his initial three enthusiastic years after joining the first team.
Williams realized something was wrong and sought help from Manchester United`s club psychologist, Mick Farrell.
He explained, “Yes, I did speak to someone – Mick Farrell at United. He was the psychologist there, and I’ve known him since I was about 15. He would often bring me in.”
“When I wasn’t leaving my apartment, literally staying in bed, he would show up around 9 am at my bedside, trying to encourage me to go for a walk or coffee.”
Williams, who made over 50 appearances for Manchester United, identified the immense pressure of playing for such a prominent club as a factor in “falling out of love with football.”
He added, “With social media, it`s United. You can perform excellently and still face criticism, which my family reads.”
“It’s difficult to explain to them the sheer magnitude of the club. You don’t truly grasp how big it is until you play there.”
“It is definitely the most challenging club to play for in the world. I underestimated its scale.”
“I knew it was big, but it wasn`t until pre-season or traveling to other countries, even on holiday, that I realized. In remote places, people still recognize me. It`s astonishing how global the club`s reach is.”
Navigating this pressure was challenging for Williams, who observed a lack of openness in football regarding mental health issues.
He explained, “No, nobody really talks about it if someone is struggling. At least, that’s been my experience.”
This culture and fear of consequences prevented Williams from being completely honest even with club psychologists about his problems.
He explained, “In those conversations with club psychologists, I wasn’t always entirely truthful.”
“If I shared something and it got back to the wrong person… football clubs are small worlds. News of any mistake spreads rapidly.”
“I was always cautious about what to disclose and what to withhold.”
“Looking back, I wish I had spoken to someone outside the club or been completely honest with him.”
Williams also felt a lack of trustworthy individuals around him, adding, “It`s a dark place. Many people care, but some care more about maintaining their lifestyle.”
“They might say, ‘Come on, we need you back. We need you to perform.’”
Now, Williams feels prepared to return to football, having dedicated months to fitness training at a taekwondo center with Olympic athletes and undergoing individual training.
He has received numerous offers from clubs worldwide since last summer.
He told Foster, “I`ll discuss my situation with my agent and see where things stand. But since August, many teams have approached me – from America, Europe, England, the Championship. I`ve had many offers, but I haven`t been ready.”
“I want to choose a place where I`m 100 percent certain, fully focused, and ready to progress. When I reach that point, we`ll have those conversations.”
