Former Manchester United player Brandon Williams has spoken candidly about the incident three years ago that resulted in a suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving. In August 2023, Williams, then 25, was driving his Audi A3 at nearly 100 mph on the A34 in Cheshire when he collided with a Ford Fiesta and veered into the central reservation. He was subsequently convicted of dangerous driving.
In May 2025, Williams received a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. The court also noted his past use of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, though he was not under its influence at the time of the crash. Reflecting on the event, Williams told The Athletic that it served as a significant wake-up call, stating, "It made me grow up as a person and realise that this is real life, this isn’t GTA (Grand Theft Auto) or something like that." He added, "I look back at myself now and think what an idiot I was. That is not what an athlete does, it’s not what a footballer does, it’s not what a grown man does. It’s stupid stuff."
Williams, who was once considered a promising talent at Old Trafford and made 51 appearances for the club, fell out of favor under manager Erik ten Hag. His career trajectory was impacted by events away from the pitch and significant injury issues. After loan spells at Norwich and Ipswich, he was released by Manchester United in July 2024. He signed for Hull City in August 2024 but left by mutual consent in February after making only one appearance.
He has been training with League Two side Rotherham United this summer as he seeks to restart his career. "I’ve let a lot of people down, to be honest, and I want to prove a lot of people wrong as well," Williams said. "That’s one thing that is left to do in my life, to get back onto the football pitch and show what I can do."
Rotherham manager Alex Bruce acknowledged Williams's pedigree, noting his experience at Manchester United and his previous performances. "Brandon has a good pedigree," Bruce stated. "He's worked with the very best and played against the best." Bruce also commented on Williams's recent fitness challenges, mentioning that he has not had a proper pre-season in several years and has dealt with injuries. The club is assessing his current condition and fitness levels.
Williams is expected to continue training with Rotherham as the club considers a potential deal. A decision on his future will be made when both parties are satisfied with his fitness and readiness.
