Ex-Man United star without a club aged 25 taken on trial as he bids to save career

Former Manchester United defender Brandon Williams is on trial with League Two side Rotherham United. The full-back is looking to get his professional career back on track and could have a lifeline with the Millers, who have been taken over by Alex Bruce, son of United legend Steve. Williams, 25, was spotted in Rotherham colours as their pre-season preparations went up a gear with a runout against non-league side Parkgate FC. The United academy graduate appeared to be afforded some minutes against the semi-professional side during the second-half and comments from Bruce suggest that he could be in line for a new club ahead of the new season. "Brandon has a good pedigree,'"he told the Rotherham Advertiser . "He's worked with the very best and played against the best. "He was showing me a game between Manchester United and Liverpool at Anfield where he was playing. We know what he's capable of. He's had a tough couple of years. He's not done a proper pre-season for two or three years now and he's had a few problems with injuries. "It's a case of just seeing where he's at, getting a good pre-season into him and seeing where we go with it. He's going to continue training, we're going to have a good look at him. I think he's enjoyed it here so far. "So we'll give him time, get the fitness levels into him and then, when both parties are happy, we'll try to make a decision." Williams has struggled since leaving Old Trafford as he went 20 months without a professional game before signing for Hull City last year. His move to the Tigers came 14 months after being released by his boyhood club; however, he left in February by mutual consent, as he made just one appearance, coming as a substitute. Last May, he was handed a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years after crashing his Audi A3 in 2023. The full-back was convicted of dangerous driving at crashing at almost 100mph, hitting a Ford Fiesta and careering into a central reservation in Cheshire. The 25-year-old reiterated his commitment to bouncing back and reigniting his career in professional football following the incident. Speaking in May 2025, he said: "It hurts me watching football now because I just want to be there, I just want to play. I miss being in a team, on the coach, travelling to games, having meals together and just doing things,' he said. "I want to have that feeling again of winning and being around the changing room environment. I've had loads of teams trying to get me out - America, Europe and England - but I haven't been ready. "I want to go somewhere 100 per cent focused and kick on. I would like to experience that different culture. I'm only 24 so I could do three or four years abroad. Definitely Europe at a good club or an upcoming club."