Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim makes sharp U-turn on player he has 'taken a shine to'

Ruben Amorim has made a surprising decision to include young winger Ethan Williams in Manchester United's US tour squad. The Red Devils have flown to America for their pre-season preparations, with less than a month until they kick off the 2025/26 season with a high-profile match against Arsenal at home.

As Amorim prepares his team for the upcoming campaign, he has selected 32 players for the US tour, including new signing Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford and several promising youngsters, among them the unexpected inclusion of Williams. The 19-year-old is not one of the most talked-about academy graduates. He spent the latter half of last season on loan at Cheltenham Town in League Two, where he scored two goals and provided two assists in 17 matches.

It was thought that Williams would be left out of the tour and potentially loaned out to a League One club, with the Daily Mail reporting that he was not expected to be part of Amorim's travelling squad due to an anticipated loan move. Belgian teams Club Brugge and Anderlecht had also shown interest in permanent deals for the young player.

However, it seems that Amorim has reconsidered his position on the talented teenager.

On Tuesday, talkSPORT reported that Amorim "has taken a real shine to Williams," with the Portuguese manager growing increasingly impressed by his performances.

Williams could be set for chances in the States and beyond as a wing-back, a position where Amad thrived last season. The young talent notched an impressive 25 goal contributions in the academy during the 2023/24 season.

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Cheltenham's boss Michael Flynn praised him on their club website, saying: "Ethan is a very talented player, and he comes here now to add that bit of quality in the final third.

"He's a player that makes the keeper work when he gets into the final third. I'm excited to be working with him."

Alongside Williams, goalkeepers Dermot Mee and Will Murdock, defenders Tyler Fredricson and Ayden Heaven, midfielders Toby Collyer, Jack Fletcher and Sekou Kone, and forwards Bendito Mantato and Chido Obi have also been included in Amorim's squad.

The Red Devils kicked off their pre-season with a lacklustre 0-0 draw against newly-promoted Leeds in Stockholm on Saturday, which saw Matheus Cunha make his debut alongside new left wing-back Diego Leon.