It's mad – Ethan Williams in dreamland after first senior goal for Man Utd
Williams had expected to spend much of this summer working with the Under-21s, only for Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim to last week give him the nod for their pre-season tour to the United States.
A whirlwind week peaked on Wednesday night in Chicago, where he replaced Amad Diallo in the 70th minute and went onto score a fine strike in a promising 4-1 win over Bournemouth.
'It's mad, I can't believe it,' Williams said. 'It still hasn't really sunk in, to be honest. It's a dream come true and I'm so happy right now.
'I'm thinking about all the moments, all the hard work I've been through,' he said. 'You know, I feel so blessed and so happy to be given this opportunity.
'To score, it's mad. I can't even explain how I am feeling, to be honest.'
Williams was an unused substitute in their first Premier League Summer Series friendly against West Ham at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where next year's World Cup final will be held.
2️⃣ wins in 2️⃣ at the #PLSummerSeries 🙌
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 31, 2025
It is a position the winger did not expect to find himself in at the start of last week, when he was primed to stay home having been an unused substitute in the senior side's pre-season opener against Leeds.
'It was last-minute,' Williams told club media. 'I was kind of told I wasn't (going) and then I was.
'I remember just… not really jumping around the bedroom, but I was buzzing.
'I've been trying to train well as these guys are the best players I've ever trained with, know what I mean? To be around it and be learning every single day is a real blessing and I'm just thankful for it all.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
5 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Williams believes Quinault has ‘more to offer' at York
Stuart Williams' prolific winner booked his spot in the new Group One when successful in the Criterion Stakes on the Knavesmire in June, a race which qualified him to start in the City of York. 'We had him spot on for that race (in June) and you're delighted to win a race there, of that prestige, and get the win-and-you're-in prize for the City of York,' said Williams. 'He obviously loves the track, it's suited him really well and he's unbeaten up there. 'It's hard to assess what's going to run at the moment, but they'll have to run hard to beat him. He tries like hell and wherever he finishes he'll do his absolute best. They'll have to keep up with him because he'll go a good clip – and he keeps going. 'In the race (the Criterion) he won there, they were sort of catching him halfway up the straight, but he did the second-quickest last furlong, so he was not stopping at the end. We're hopeful he can do that again. 'I still think he's got more to offer – I still think he's on his improve.' He added: 'I think it's an important thing for the calendar to have a Group One seven-furlong race in Britain – it fits in well with the (Prix de la) Foret, which is six weeks further down the line. It should be a nice stepping-stone for that. 'We'll enjoy the day whatever happens, I'm sure he'll do his best and he won't be far away.'
Daily Record
5 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Rangers and Celtic legends take in East Kilbride opener, as boss gutted with match result
Ally McCoist and Paul McStay took in EK's inaugural SPFL clash against Spartans The stars came out for East Kilbride's historic day in the SPFL on Saturday. But Kilby boss Mick Kennedy just wishes his side had produced a sparkling display in front of Old Firm legends Ally McCoist and Paul McStay. Hometown hero McCoist and McStay were in attendance at to witness the club's League Two debut on home turf, but Spartans hadn't read the script and dished out a 3-1 humbling to give the bookies' title favourites food for thought. Gaffer Kennedy caught up with the two on the day and admitted he would have preferred it if they had seen a better version of his squad. He said: 'Ally and Paul were there which is good. Ally is a particularly good friend of the club and whenever he's not commentating on games or working, he gets along. 'Paul had flown in from Australia for the Celtic game on Sunday to bring the trophy out [on flag day], so I spent a bit of time with Paul before the game. 'He is a Scottish football legend like Ally so it was good to catch up with them. 'I spent a bit of time with Paul before the game and we had a good chat about life in general. 'It was just a bit unfortunate with the performance we put in. 'It was a historical moment for the club, but the result won't define anything. 'Everything is there for the club to progress and move forward."
Daily Mirror
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Rio Ferdinand thinks Luke Shaw's brutal claim shows state of Man Utd under Ruben Amorim
After Luke Shaw's eyebrow-raising comments about the state of Manchester United under Ruben Amorim, Rio Ferdinand has offered his honest thoughts Rio Ferdinand believes Luke Shaw's claim about Manchester United shedding the "stragglers" in the squad highlights Ruben Amorim's positive effect. Amorim, 40, has taken a no-nonsense approach to United's squad this summer. One of his first acts was to banish the so-called 'Bomb Squad' featuring Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford. The latter has been loaned to Barcelona, but the other trio were left out of United's pre-season tour in the USA and told they will be training separately from the rest of the squad. Last season, Sancho, Antony and Rashford were loaned to Chelsea, Real Betis and Aston Villa, respectively, while Garnacho was told to find a new club after he publicly criticised Amorim shortly after United's loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final. New recruits Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have now been brought in, and Shaw recently praised Amorim's tough love approach that has managed to rid the club of "stragglers" holding the group back. Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents show, the ex-United captain reacted to Shaw's comments. He said: "It was quite a damning statement, wasn't it? "When I heard that, I was like, 'I wonder what the next meet-up is going to be like if he sees any of those guys.' I think I'd have had something to say about that if I thought it was about me. "Then you go, 'Maybe they don't say anything, because they might think and know it is true.' But there's a confidence in there with him that goes, 'You know what? They know that I know what went wrong. So I can say this with my chest.' "That's what it feels like. Also, the environment he is feeling now would have to be a positive one for him to come out and speak like that." When asked specifically about Shaw's place at Old Trafford and whether he was referencing the aforementioned quartet, Ferdinand added: "His statue within the squad, I noticed it while I was on tour. He has a very strong stature within the squad. He's been there, I think, over 10 years now. "He has seen it all there. All the bad times, he's seen it. He is one of the most experienced and most Manchester United players within that squad. So, I don't think he has any qualms coming out like that. "I think you have to have seen enough to be able to go and talk like that. So I think it's a strong statement. I don't think there's any two that he's directed at those four players, because they are the ones sitting on the outside." Last season was a chastening one for the Red Devils. They finished 15th and only mustered 42 points and 44 goals. Their last chance of redemption in the Europa League final also ended with them losing to Tottenham in a lacklustre fashion. But the signs are looking positive for the Red Devils, as they won the Premier League Summer Series in the USA. They beat West Ham United 2-1 and Bournemouth 4-1, before drawing 2-2 with Everton. Of course, the real measure will be how they start the Premier League campaign. Their opening fixtures are ominous, as they host Arsenal, Burnley and Chelsea, while also travelling to Fulham, Manchester City and Brentford in their first six matches.
