Shoving Neal Maupay into advertising hoardings and kicking Steven Alzate in the chest… Brandon Williams showed his fiery side on first Premier League start - but also proved he does not look out of place at the top level
* Brandon Williams produced an excellent performance on his first top-flight start
* He stepped up to the physical and technical challenges posed by Brighton
* The Manchester United man escaped a red card after booting Steven Alzate
* The teenager has already developed a strong connection with Marcus Rashford
Brandon Williams may be lacking in experience, but the teenager showed why he is ready for a regular spot in Manchester United's first-team during theIR 3-1 win over Brighton.
The left back displayed his fiery side at Old Trafford, shoving Neal Maupay into the advertising hoardings before squaring up to the Brighton forward.
As the duo tussled for a ball which was rolling out of play, the Mancunian gave a nudge which sent Maupay flying. Thankfully, Williams showed restraint as the Frenchman rose to his feet in anger.
Manchester United defender Brandon Williams squares up to Brighton forward Neal Maupay
And the 19-year-old must have had his heart in his mouth in the second half when VAR reviewed his high tackle on Steven Alzate, but referee Jonathan Moss brandished a yellow card.
Williams was making his first Premier League start, and he proved he was up for it from the outset against the Seagulls, bombing down the left flank in support of fellow academy graduate Marcus Rashford.
United scored two goals in two minutes as Andreas Pereira's deflected effort bobbled in to break the deadlock on 17 minutes, and Scott McTominay doubled their advantage when he scrambled in from close range.
The 19-year-old evaded a red card when he caught Steven Alzate on the chest with a high boot
The two-goal lead provided the platform from which Williams could thrive on his seventh appearance for the senior team.
He is one of 11 academy graduates who have been used by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this term, and he repaid his manager with a dynamic performance.
First, he followed Leanardo Trossard diligently before executing a perfectly timed tackle and dribbling 20 yards upfield, igniting another United attack.
The full back almost paid the price for one lapse in concentration when he lost Aaron Connolly at a defensive set-piece, but the Republic of Ireland international fluffed his lines from six yards out.
Williams was back at his exuberant best after the break and refused to be bullied by Lewis Dunk, harrying the visiting defender and winning a throw-in.
The Brighton captain did pull one goal back with a 64th-minute header, but Rashford provided a swift response when he fired in off the crossbar two minutes later.
Home fans rose to their feet at Old Trafford to applaud the full back as he was substituted
The debutant almost had a goal of his own shortly after Rashford's second, stinging the palms of Matt Ryan who showed sharp reflexes to deny Williams his first in United colours.
He continued to fly down the touchline and almost teed up Rashford for his second.
United's under-18's coach Neil Ryan says Williams is an 'inspiration' to his players, and on this evidence that claim is not without foundation.
Williams and Rashford walked off the field together in a double substitution in second-half stoppage time, but it felt as if the rapturous applause was directed towards the promising upstart rather than the goalscoring hero.
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