Manchester United said goodbye to Brandon Williams last summer, and the defender has yet to make his return to football.
Achieving sustained success when emerging through the Manchester United youth ranks is far from an easy task.
Even talents such as Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo have been through ups and downs since breaking through at Old Trafford.
Everybody in the United academy dreams of emulating the ‘Class of 92’, but that is a tough ask.
Brandon Williams certainly found that, having initially impressed after bursting onto the scene in 2019.
The full-back caught the eye under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and looked to be a talent United could develop into a regular around the first team.
Manchester United's Brandon Williams applauds fans against Arsenal.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keen to sign Brandon Williams at Besiktas
Williams’ first-team minutes declined in the 2020-21 season, and he was sent out on loan to Norwich City and then Ipswich Town.
Neither move helped secure more first-team football, and United released Williams at the end of his contract last summer.
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Rangers were linked with Williams last summer, but no deal materialised and he spent the 2024-25 season without a club.
Williams has considered retiring at just 24 amid off-field problems, but he could land himself a move this summer.
The Daily Mail report that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now interested in reuniting with Williams at Besiktas.
Solskjaer has made a strong start as Besiktas boss, winning 12 of his 22 games since being appointed earlier this year.
BBC Sport claim Tammy Abraham is close to joining Besiktas, and Solskjaer could now turn his attention to another Englishman in Williams.
Williams hailed Solskjaer earlier this year, suggesting that United should never have sacked the Norwegian.
Now managing in Turkiye, Solskjaer could hand Williams a chance to get his career back on track.
Brandon Williams could join forces with Christian Eriksen
Solskjaer may believe that he can save Williams’ career, having previously given him his United chance.
The former United boss may not only sign Williams, but also a player departing United this summer.
French reporter Sebastien Vidal of Weekend Sports magazine now claims that Besiktas are ‘pushing’ to sign Christian Eriksen.
Eriksen has left United this summer, and while he never crossed paths with Solskjaer at Old Trafford, they could now join forces.
The Dane is searching for a new club and could join forces with Williams as Solskjaer considers bringing a real United feel to his Besiktas squad.