Jose Mourinho identified Manchester United wonderkid for first team before he was sacked

Manchester United wonderkid Brandon Williams was close to a breakthrough at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho.

The 19-year-old has impressed this term with a string of mature performances following his full debut for the club in 1-0 win against Partizan Belgrade.

Mourinho spent two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford and was often criticised for his unwillingness to trust young players.

However, the MEN claim Mourinho identified Williams as a future first team player when he was just 17 and gave ‘serious consideration’ to taking the youngster on his final pre-season tour at the club.

Nevertheless, the speed of Williams’ emergence remains a surprise and the club have been buoyed by the manner in which he’s taken to first team action.

The teenager was not considered part of the first team set-up under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last season but injury to Luke Shaw has meant the Norwegian has turned to the academy.

Shaw had a number of run-ins with Mourinho and would likely have left the club had the Portuguese coach not been sacked.

Solskjaer is similarly interested in replacing Shaw and United have an interest in Leicester City star Ben Chilwell.

But Williams’ form has been a source of huge encouragement and the teenager could save the club millions in the transfer market if he continues his progress.

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