Revealed: Former Man United star is set to replace Luke Shaw, who is now unemployed… with doubts over ‘whether he will return to the top level of football until he reassesses his priorities’

A former Manchester United star who was set to replace Luke Shaw remains out of a job after leaving the club at the end of last season.

Brandon Williams made 51 appearances for Manchester United, including one during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure as manager at Old Trafford.

According to the Athletic, former United chief executive Ed Woodward said during a Europa League trip to Astana in Kazakhstan that Williams had replaced England international Luke Shaw as the club’s best left-back.

However, five years after their trip to Kazakhstan, the now 24-year-old player is without a club after no one snapped him up last summer after his contract at Old Trafford expired.

Williams, who spent 15 games on loan with Ipswich as they battled for promotion to the Premier League, is said to have no immediate prospects of a return to the sport.

Brandon Williams remains without a club after leaving Manchester United in the summer transfer window

Williams was described by Ed Woodward (right) as the man to replace Luke Shaw (left)

There are doubts among some at United whether Williams ‘will return to the top level of football until he reassesses his priorities’

Williams (second from left) played the most games for Man United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

According to Athletic, ‘not everyone involved’ with the Red Devils is convinced he will return to the highest level until he ‘completely reviews his priorities’.

Williams last played on 29 December in Ipswich’s 0–0 draw with QPR, before being benched for the following match against Stoke City.

He returned to Old Trafford in early January for an ‘assessment’ and it subsequently became clear he would not be returning to Portman Road.

As Mail Online reported in April, Williams will appear in court in March 2025 after being accused of crashing his sports car while inhaling nitrous oxide at the wheel.

Williams pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving in his Audi S Line on the A34 in Wilmslow, Cheshire last August.

The defender, who earned an estimated £65,000 a week, also denied driving without valid insurance.

Williams, who has also played for England at Under-20 and Under-21 level, was told by Judge Simon Berkson that his trial, expected to last three days, will begin on March 17 next year. He was granted unconditional bail.

Williams enjoyed some good spells for both Norwich during the 2021-22 season and Ipswich last season.

Williams wrote an emotional message to the supporters of the Red Devils on social media

However, according to the Athletic report, United manager Erik ten Hag had already decided not to use Williams and the club were ‘alarmed’ by what they heard about their player.

It is said there was ‘evidence of a player who lost his way and didn’t listen to the right people’ and ‘got his priorities completely wrong once the money and fame came rolling in’.

Williams wrote on Instagram after leaving Old Trafford earlier this year: ‘I always hoped I would never have to post this, but here we are.

‘Since I was 7 years old, this football club Manchester United has been an important part of my life, from the cliff to Carrington, day in, day out.

Williams spent last season on loan at Ipswich, making 15 appearances in the Championship in the first half of the season before returning to United in January for an ‘assessment’.

“But I want to thank my teammates, especially those I spent the last 17 years with, because I was able to create brothers that will last a lifetime.

‘Thanks to the staff, the kitters, the maintenance staff, the security, the physiotherapists. I could go on and on. You were all amazing. And of course the coaches.

‘Then I want to thank you fans in particular. You are the backbone of the club and the reason we work so hard to perform at the highest level. You all deserve it.’