Brandon Williams came under fire for his performance in Thursday’s Europa League draw against Club Brugge.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made six changes to the side that beat Chelsea on Monday and Williams retained his place in a left-wing back role.
The United boss will be relatively content coming away with a score draw; Anthony Martial’s first-half strike still makes the Reds hot favourites going into next week’s second leg at Old Trafford.
READ MORE: Huge boost for Solskjaer as Scott McTominay could feature against Watford
Admittedly, Williams was poor in the first-half against the Belgian outfit. He squandered possession a number of times on the left and struggled to adapt to the position as well as did at Stamford Bridge.
But the criticism he has received from some sections of supporters has been completely unjust.
Williams has rarely if ever let Solskjaer down this season and inconsistencies in his game should be expected for a player that has been thrust into the first-team limelight this term.
The 19-year-old has provided excellent cover at left-back and has even established himself as Solskjaer’s number one option.
But Williams may be taken out of the firing line if the United boss reverts to back four against Watford in the Premier League on Sunday.
Luke Shaw has excelled in the left-centre-back role this week and deserves his chance to start in his familiar left-back role.
Leave Brandon Williams alone he's just a kid ffs, He was world class a few weeks ago but now he's shite turn it in guys he's just a boy, He's our Boy so go and hate elsewhere! 🖕 pic.twitter.com/RgSfJiwB79
— United She Rants 🇾🇪 (@MufcStacey) February 21, 2020
This lad is different class, one bad game doesn’t change a thing.
If you’ve questioned him because of his performance last night I suggest you take yourself down a lane, into a dark room and ask yourself is football for you?😅🥴
Brandon Williams!❤️ #mufc pic.twitter.com/DwKByvB1fW
— W. H-F 🇾🇪 (@iamwesleyy) February 21, 2020
Morning 🇾🇪
Seen loads of our fans slating Brandon Williams last night…..fickle as fuck he was the best LB in the world a few weeks ago.
Give the kid a break🇾🇪
— UTFR 🇾🇪 (@ManUtd_HQ) February 21, 2020
People forget he is 19 yrs old and its his first season with the first team squad. I’m sure all of his critics were all perfect at 19 and had a faultless apprenticeship. Never made a mistake or had a off day. Get real and leave the lad alone under enough pressure as it is.
— Muzz60 (@Muzz601) February 21, 2020
Brandon Williams is a United player, without a doubt! He’s United through and through and you can see playing for United means so much to him, particularly as he’s a local lad. I think he’s got a great future ahead of him. He takes no messing about and I love that!
— John Maguire (@MUFCSalfordRed) February 21, 2020
He didn’t have the best of games but everyone has an off day he will be back to his best Sunday #UTFR 🇾🇪🇾🇪🇾🇪
— Chris Round (@diddyround) February 21, 2020
Shouldn’t be getting on at Williams. He has had one bad game….wow! Plenty of worse and more experienced performers in our squad who are at this level week in, week out!
— Jon (@Jay1279) February 21, 2020