Mour wanted Harry for less
Lallana’s a target for PSG XHAKA OUT AS ZAC HEADS IN United in line for Pereira END’S BEN TO HEAD SOUTH
BRANDON WILLIAMS is fighting his way to the top at Manchester United.
The teenage left- back has wowed boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and United fans since bursting on to the scene.
And his impressive performances have left Luke Shaw – injured since August – battling for his Old Trafford future.
Williams’ progress has been so fast and impressive that senior members of Solskjaer’s coaching staff believe he is on track to overtake Shaw – and has the potential to become United’s number one THIS season.
Hard
The 19-year-old starlet takes no prisoners – and club insiders say that even United hard man Marcus Rojo admires the youngster’s aggression and tenacity.
And no wonder.
Williams is a cousin of Super
Featherweight
English boxing champion Zelfa
Barrett ( right) – and clearly shares his love of getting stuck in after a string of dust- ups since
JOSE MOURINHO ordered Manchester United not to spend more than £50million on Harry Maguire – a year before they signed him for £80m.
Mourinho targeted the Leicester star in 2018 – but told Old Trafford chiefs not to “embarrass” him by paying above £50m. With the Foxes breaking through to the first team.
After being booked in his first senior game – the EFL Cup win over Rochdale in September – Williams showed he’s not one to back down after squaring up to Dani de Wit on his full debut in the Europa League draw against AZ Alkmaar in Holland.
Williams also jostled with Chelsea star Callum HudsonOdoi in the EFL cup victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, sending the England star over an advertising hoarding.
And he clashed with Brighton attacker Neal Maupay (above) in a similar tussle on his full Premier League debut ahead of the international break.
Solskjaer and his staff asking for “upwards of £60m” United decided not to pursue the deal, knowing that the manager felt that was too much.
But a year later ,with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in charge, United paid a world-record fee for the England defender.
It’s thought that Mourinho only turned his attention to Maguire after United lost the FA are ar happy for England Under-20 star st Williams to use his natural fire fi and competitiveness to get physical ph – as long as he stays within w the rules.
But he was warned by United co coaches to cool it after being sent of off in a pre-season friendly for he head-butting Accrington Stanley ca captain Sean Mcconville.
A s ource at United’s C Carrington training ground said: “B “Brandon is making a big name fo for himself, especially among the senior players.
“He is a talented footballer and everyone likes his attitude and willingness to get stuck in.
Future
“He’s got a mean streak that Marcus Rojo loves! Everyone inside the club thinks he’s got a big future ahead of him, and that’s been recognised with the manager happy to play him against Brighton.
“There’s a lot of talk that he’s the future at left-back, sooner rather than later.
“Trent Alexander-arnold has been fast-tracked at Liverpool and everyone can see the same happening with Brandon.”
Williams’ eagerness to give everything for the cause is earning him an army of United fans. But his rise is doing nothing for Shaw’s faltering career at Old Trafford.
Cup Final to Chelsea in 2018 and a foul by Phil Jones on Eden Hazard earned the Belgian a penalty and the game’s only goal.
A club insider revealed: “A move was made for Maguire in the summer of 2018 – with Jose Mourinho’s blessing.
“But Jose’s interest came with a proviso. He said that while Maguire was an excellent player, he wasn’t worth more than £50m.
In fact, he said that paying more than £50m would embarrass him – but Leicester made it clear they would not sell for less than £60m.
“So the deal was dead before United had even made a formal bid for him.”
ADAM LALLANA is on the radar of Paris Saint-germain.
The England international (above) is wanted by the French champions, who have just seen Edinson Cavani go to LA Galaxy to fill in for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Reds could use Lallana’s salary to bring in Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser, who has been linked strongly with a move to Anfield.
ARSENAL will offer Granit Xhaka as bait to land Borussia Monchengladbach’s midfield sensation Denis Zakaria.
The Swiss has been in superb form for the German club who currently occupy top spot in the Bundesliga.
They are fighting off interest from several of Europe’s big-hitters for the 22-year-old. Xhaka (above) is set to leave the Gunners in January after a public falling-out with the club.
MANCHESTER UNITED have joined a list of top-flight clubs who are keeping tabs on West Brom loan star Matheus Pereira.
The 23-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger (above) has excelled at The Hawthorns this season.
The Baggies have an option to sign the Brazilian for £8.25million but that won’t put off United.
BRIGHTON are preparing a £9million offer for Preston centre-half Ben Davies (above), who has impressed during North End’s charge up the Championship table.
The Seagulls want him as insurance should skipper Lewis Dunk be offered a route out of the Amex.
Davies has plenty of experience for a 24-year-old, with more than 150 appearances in the Football League, and the fact he is left-sided has increased Brighton boss Graham Potter’s interest.