Ethan Williams feels “blessed” after the late call-up to Manchester United’s pre-season tour squad scored a superb first senior goal for his hometown club.
The 19-year-old academy product ended last season on loan at Cheltenham, scoring two goals in 17 appearances during a fruitful spell in League Two.
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.”
