HIS famous uncle is a Manchester City legend who became the first black goalkeeper to play in the English top-flight.
But Manchester United youngster Ethan Williams has no time to worry about torn family loyalties between the Red and Blue side of the city.
GettyEthan Williams is the new kid on the block at Manchester United[/caption]
GettyThe teenager was embraced by his team-mates after scoring his first Man Utd goal[/caption]
GettyEthan’s uncle Alex Williams MBE has spent most of his life employed by Manchester City[/caption]
GettyWilliams is a Manchester hero, something Ethan will surely hope to become one day[/caption]
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That’s because the 19-year-old winger is too busy trying to break into Ruben Amorim’s Premier League squad before their season opener against Arsenal on August 16.
Local Manchester lad Ethan’s “dreams came true” when he scored his first United goal during the club’s 4-1 win over Bournemouth in Chicago on Wednesday.
A minute after coming on, the academy graduate was on hand to pick up the ball from inside the box after new signing Diego Leon tripped over while driving towards goal.
And before you knew it, Ethan, who is equally sharp with both feet, cut inside and unleashed a devastating right-foot finish into former Chelsea stopper Djordje Petrovic’s near post.
Rarely does this United team score four goals. And rarely – if ever- does Amorim celebrate when they do hit the back of the net.
In fact, fans will be hard pressed to remember a single time when the Portuguese gaffer joyfully jumped up and down the sideline. We’ve simply never seen it.
On that, Amorim, 40, said: “I celebrated that goal.
“It is not usually even during the season but I celebrated that goal because I really like to see the kids who work really well, who don’t have a lot of space during training, but still they are there.
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“They understand the idea, they press and fight. They controlled the game so I’m pleased.”
Ethan had expected to spend much of this summer working with the Under-21s, only for Amorim to last week give him the nod for their pre-season tour to the United States.
But while Ethan dreams of Old Trafford glory, his uncle Alex, 63, is a true blue icon who would’ve been celebrating somewhere too.
Alex made history when he became the first black goalkeeper to play in the old First Division in 1980, going on to made 125 appearances for City until 1985.
He’s also a celebrated figure for his incredible 33 years with City in the community, earning an MBE in 2002 – three years before Ethan was born – for his work with young people.
He’s destined to be a star, although it’s a shame his favourite colour is red rather than blue.
Alex Williams about Ethan
And that saw Alex join club legends David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan in having a pitch at the training ground named after him.
The local Moss Side ex-stopper is even included in a dazzling mural in Platt Lane, Fallowfield, Manchester – metres away from where he grew up close to City’s old Maine Road Stadium.
The proud uncle charted the highs and lows of his career in a 2023 autobiography that also touched upon a teenager making waves at Carrington.
MEN MediaWilliams takes centre stage of a new Manchester City mural, alongside women’s stars Chelsea Nightingale and Khiara Keating and Fallowfield-born Neil Young[/caption]
AlamyThe 63-year-old became the first black goalkeeper to play in the old First Division in the 80s[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialAlex made more than 100 appearances for United’s closest rivals City[/caption]
In his book ‘You Saw Me Standing Alone’, Alex wrote: “Ethan is progressing well and has the potential to go all the way.
“He’s the younger son of my brother Lloyd and is similar in style to former City winger Leroy Sane.
“He’s quick, has a terrific left foot and an eye for goal. He’s destined to be a star, although it’s a shame his favourite colour is red rather than blue.
“I just hope Ethan is as happy during his career as I was during mine.”
Incidentally, Alex’s final City appearance came during a 3-0 home defeat against Man Utd, where he gave away a penalty in 1985 – a year after lifting the Under-21 European Championships with England.
GettyRuben Amorim more or less celebrated for the first time after Ethan scored on Wednesday[/caption]
After brief spells with Queen of the South and Port Vale, Alex hung up his gloves at the young age of 25 in 1987 due recurrent back injuries.
Ethan joined United from Rochdale aged 14 and quickly settled in, later earning calls to join first team training under former boss Erik ten Hag.
The tricky forward signed his first professional contract with United a year ago in July 2024, and was quickly shipped out on loan to gain experience at Cheltenham Town.
He’s just returned from a fruitful loan spell with the League Two side, where he netted twice in 17 appearances.
And Ethan might be hoping for a mural of his own on the Trafford side of the city in the distant future.
