Brandon Williams has rubbished the idea that Cristiano Ronaldo-led cliques emerged in the Manchester United dressing room. Last term there were rumours of internal unrest as the club endured a forgettable campaign, eventually finishing sixth. Ronaldo's arrival was seen as a major coup, but the squad went backwards, eventually leading to Ole Gunnar Solskajer's sacking in November. It was speculated that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner wanted to assume the captain's armband from skipper Harry Maguire - and as a result there was a divide in the dressing room. Portuguese speaking players, the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Fred and Diogo Dalot, all formed a group with Ronaldo. The 37-year-old's influence has split opinion since his return.
Some have hailed the way he's driven standards and demanded more, others see it as counter productive with Ronaldo fearing more for his own legacy. Brandon Williams, who was on loan at Norwich City last term, has now returned to Carrington. The academy graduate is embedding himself back into the group and claims Ronaldo has caused no such divide. He told the Sportsman : "I wasn't there when he first came back, but since I've come back, he's been a massive influence. He always talks to me. He makes sure that he doesn't leave anybody out. He just talks to everybody."
Ronaldo has had to accept a squad role so far this term having made it clear he wanted to leave back in the summer. United stood firm on their stance that he would not be sold and the forward has largely been used off the bench this term and may agitate for a January exit. Harry Maguire is another man currently finding himself on the substitutes bench. Lisandro Martinez, a summer signing, has come in and formed a partnership with Raphael Varane. That leaves the former Leicester City man looking in from the sidelines.
