Manchester United to reward starlet with new contract as three exits confirmed

Manchester United are set to reward Ethan Williams with his first professional contract after an exceptional campaign.

Williams, 18, starred for United’s treble-winning Under-18s side last term, scoring 17 goals and assisting a further nine as well.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Williams signed a pre-professional contract earlier in the season, which is set to officially begin this summer.

Williams’ professional deal will be announced shortly after the campaign concludes. The contract is his reward for continued progress in the academy.

The young winger has excelled alongside Ethan Wheatley and Gabriele Biancheri in the attack of Adam Lawrence’s side. They won the league campaign, the Premier League cup and the National final.

Williams joined the Old Trafford club from Rochdale’s youth system in 2019.

Meanwhile, United have confirmed three exits ahead of a busy summer transfer window for INEOS.

Alvaro Fernandez has left for Benfica after the Portuguese club exercised the option to buy him out of his loan contract from last season.

Anthony Martial has also confirmed that he will be leaving the club now that his contract expires. He spent nine years with United after signing from AS Monaco in 2015.

It had already been announced that Raphaël Varane would depart at the end of his contract. His last game was in the FA Cup final, as United lifted silverware after winning 2-1 against Manchester City.