'Stabbing me in my back' - Ex-Man Utd star Brandon Williams reveals falling out of love with football due to off-field issues as full-back faces two years in prison over dangerous driving offences

Williams, who was officially released by Manchester United in July 2024, has been without a club since last summer. A string of loan moves and a noticeable decline in form led to his departure from Old Trafford, where he once showed significant potential as a full-back.

In a shocking turn of events, Williams pleaded guilty last month to charges of dangerous driving and operating a vehicle without third-party insurance. The incident took place in August 2023 and involved a high-speed crash. Details revealed in Chester Crown Court described Williams travelling at 99mph with a balloon in his mouth, shortly before colliding at 74mph. The case has drawn significant media attention, and Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on May 9, where he could face up to two years behind bars.

In a deeply personal interview on Ben Foster’s Fozcast podcast, Williams opened up about the mental and emotional weight he has carried over the past year.

"At that point I did [fall out of love with football], at that point it was just getting too much for me," he said. "It was problems with friends, friends going behind my back - stabbing me in my back. I was ignoring my family, I wasn’t really speaking to them. They were really worried about me, my friends were as well to be fair. They could see it. It wasn’t right.”

Williams’ time on loan at Ipswich Town last season was abruptly cut short halfway through the campaign, and the defender was sent back to Manchester. Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, who previously worked with Williams at United, advised the player to step away and address his personal challenges. It was a pivotal decision that reflected just how deep Williams’ off-field issues had run. The intention was to give him space to reset and confront the personal turmoil that was beginning to derail not only his football career but also his overall well-being.

Meanwhile, back on the pitch, Williams’ former club United are enduring their own turbulent season under manager Ruben Amorim. Following a disappointing result at the City Ground, the Red Devils are now preparing for a crucial clash against Manchester City this Sunday.