Manchester United youngster takes to Instagram to issue heartbreaking farewell message after being released

United star Brendon Williams penned an emotional goodbye to the club after being released following 17 years at Old Trafford. He has been a Red Devil since the age of seven and made 51 appearances for the senior team, scoring and assisting once each.

The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at Ipswich Town, where he scored twice in 17 appearances. Now, Williams is on the lookout for a new club after United confirmed his departure, releasing a statement thanking the youth team graduate.

The United statement read: "Brandon Williams is to leave Manchester United at the end of the contract, with best wishes from everybody at the club."

The announcement then ended with the club wishing the young Mancunian all the best: "Brandon will always be welcome back at the club, through our Academy's successful Alumni programme, and we would like to wish him the very best of luck for the future."

Williams wrote a heartfelt post on Instagram declaring his ongoing admiration for the club, while also praising United staff and officials. The post included a compilation of Williams' time at United, set to the Adele song "Hometown Glory."

He wrote: "I always hoped I would have never had to make this post but here we are. Since the age of 7 this Manchester United football club has been part of my life from the cliff to Carrington day in day out. But to have been able to make brothers which will last a lifetime I want to thank my teammates, especially the ones I’ve shared the past 17 years with. Thank you to the staff the kitmen, maintenance workers, security, and physios I could go on and on you were all amazing and of course the coaches. Then most importantly THANK YOU to you fans the backbone of the club the reason we work so hard for to be able to perform at the highest level because you all deserve it. Watch this space! OVERANDOUT🫡 ONCE A RED ALWAYS A RED 👹"

In addition to Williams, United confirmed the departures of several players after announcing their official retained players list. The club have parted ways with Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane, alongside reserve players Charlie McNeill, Marcus Lawrence and Kie Plumley.