Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to revive ex-Man Utd ace's career?! Besiktas eye swoop for free agent who played under Norwegian at Old Trafford

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Former Manchester United star Brandon Williams could be heading to Turkey to reignite his career as the 24-year-old full-back has emerged as a transfer target for Turkish giants Besiktas, where he could reunite with his former manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as revealed by The Daily Mail. Sources close to the player suggest that early discussions have taken place, signalling mutual interest between both parties.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Williams’ pursuit of a fresh start comes on the heels of a legal storm. In May 2025, he was handed a suspended prison sentence following a serious driving offence. The incident, which occurred in August 2023, involved the defender driving his Audi A3 at dangerously high speeds near Handforth, Cheshire, before colliding with a Ford Fiesta and ultimately crashing into the central barrier.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

Following his court appearance in March 2025, Williams was sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years, after the court learned he had reached speeds of nearly 100 mph (161 km/h) during the dangerous episode. In addition to the suspended term, the court imposed a three-year driving ban and ordered the footballer to complete 180 hours of unpaid community work.

DID YOU KNOW?

Williams first gained national attention during his breakthrough season at United under Solskjaer. He would later go on to have loan spells with Norwich City and Ipswich Town, though his development stalled amid inconsistent playing time and off-field issues.

Manchester United v Brentford - Pre-season Friendly

WHAT NEXT FOR WILLIAMS?

With Solskjaer reportedly exploring options to bolster Besiktas’ backline, the possibility of a reunion with Williams appears increasingly likely. The Norwegian manager is said to still rate the young defender highly and may believe that a move to Istanbul could be the clean slate Williams needs to turn things around. A transfer to the Turkish Super Lig would provide a competitive environment without the immediate glare of English football’s media scrutiny.