Ipswich Town fans couldn’t have asked for a better start to the Championship season as they enter the second international break of the season.
The Tractor Boys were promoted from League One in style last season, but many anticipated them to struggle to maintain that manner a league higher.
Kieran McKenna, on the other hand, has demonstrated that it is possible and has done so with essentially the same team as last season.
Ipswich Town are in second place with 28 points, two points behind champions Leicester City and eight points ahead of third-place Preston North End.
Brandon Williams, who is on loan from Manchester United, has been instrumental in the club’s early success.
Brandon Williams’ performance for Ipswich Town thus far this season?
Williams fell significantly down the pecking order at Manchester United last season, making only one appearance for the club, a late cameo in the EFL Cup.
The defender did play a significant role in the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, but it came as no surprise when it was revealed that the Premier League club was willing to allow the defender depart on a permanent or temporary basis.
Williams agreed to leave Old Trafford and joined Ipswich Town on loan for the 2023/24 season.
The 23-year-old has made 10 appearances for the Tractor Boys since joining the club, and while he has yet to secure a regular berth, he has been putting in solid performances. Williams has already scored two goals for the team in the last three games, against Huddersfield Town and Preston North End.
Williams appears to be finding his way at Portman Road, and with his future looking increasingly far from Old Trafford, the January transfer window might be a moment when Ipswich attempt to sign a new term with Manchester United.
Why should Ipswich Town try to sign Brandon Williams to a long-term contract in January?
As previously stated, it is likely that Man United will attempt to let Williams depart the club permanently after this loan term at Ipswich.
The Red Devils have their own injury crisis and might easily have elected to keep the 23-year-old for the rest of the season. However, they did not, which possibly demonstrates where he is in Erik’s eyes.
Williams has only been at Portman Road for a short time, but he has done well so far. The defender has scored a handful of goals, but he is also averaging 1.4 tackles per game, 1.1 interceptions, and 0.4 clearances.
Furthermore, he is averaging 25.8 passes per game, 82% of which are successful, and 0.4 of those passes are critical, according to WhoScored.com.
So, with his performances obviously improving, Ipswich may be prudent to consider making the interim swap permanent in January. That is because Williams appears to be a wonderful fit in McKenna’s team, and if the 23-year-old continues to perform well, he might return to Old Trafford at some point.
So, even if Ipswich will not have secured promotion in January, adding Williams to their roster on a permanent basis would be prudent, regardless of whether they are in the top division next season. However, making the deal in January could save them millions of pounds because Man United may raise the transfer fee in the summer.
Furthermore, McKenna’s presence at Ipswich will offer the club bargaining strength when it comes to signing Williams, and if the manager leaves at the end of the season, it may jeopardize any possibility of keeping the player on a permanent basis.
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