Manchester United star Brandon Williams caught ‘inhaling nitrous oxide from a balloon’
Manchester United star Brandon Williams is caught appearing to ‘inhale nitrous oxide from a balloon’ while in the passenger seat of a Mercedes
- The 22-year-old full-back was reportedly filmed near his club grounds.
- Footage taken from a vehicle appears to show Williams inhaling from a balloon.
- Rishi Sunak has vowed to crack down on laughing gas and anti-social crime.
Manchester United star Brandon Williams has been photographed appearing to inhale the legal high nitrous oxide from a balloon near the club’s training grounds.
The 22-year-old full-back, who failed to break into the club’s first team this season, was filmed appearing to be breathing laughing gas as a passenger in a moving Mercedes Brabus supercar.
In the video posted by Sun he appears to pass a canister of the drug to a rear passenger in the car while being videotaped from another vehicle.
Gas is not illegal to possess or use, but it is illegal to supply it under current legislation.
But the government plans to crack down on the legal high, also known as “hippy crack,” and ban it entirely, as part of a series of new laws designed to show a tougher stance on crime.
Brandon Williams, 22, of Manchester United in action during a team training session earlier this month.
Manchester United’s Teden Mengi and Brandon Williams celebrate after the Carabao Cup final match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley in February.
Williams, who was born in Manchester, where he now plays, has seen just five minutes of game time under Erik ten Hag this season.
The exact date the video was filmed is unclear.
A witness to the incident told The Sun: “Anyone who follows United or football seriously would have recognized it instantly.” He is irresponsible considering that he is a public figure.
He is destined to be a role model for youngsters and future footballers.
‘Taking that crap, especially so casually, could be hindering your ability on the field. No doubt his manager won’t be impressed.’
Williams rose through Manchester United’s youth teams to make 51 professional appearances on the pitch to date.
There is speculation that he could move to or be loaned out by Middlesbrough after his limited appearances for the club this season.
Nitrous oxide provides users with a temporary euphoric high, sometimes triggering fits of laughter, and can induce hallucinations and sound distortions.
A witness said his behavior “could be hindering his ability on the field.”
But it also comes with significant risks, from mild side effects like headaches to unconsciousness or even death.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plan to eradicate laughing gas is part of a “community justice” package.
The nitrous oxide ban is intended to protect young people and end the dumping of trash cans in places where young people congregate.
Writing in the Mail on Monday, Mr Sunak said: ‘We are going to take a zero tolerance approach.
“We are going to end youth groups using nitrous oxide, the so-called laughing gas, by banning it.
“And we’re going to expand drug testing at the time of arrest to include drugs like ecstasy and cannabis, as well as expanding the range of situations that can trigger a drug test in the first place.”
Manchester United have been contacted for comment.