Manchester United defender Brandon Williams will go on trial next year accused of crashing his Audi S Line while inhaling laughing gas at the wheel

A Premier League footballer will go on trial next year accused of crashing his sports car while inhaling laughing gas at the wheel.

Manchester United’s Brandon Williams, 23, today pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving in his Audi S Line on the A34, in Wilmslow, Cheshire last August.

The defender, who is on an estimated £65,000 a week, also denied driving without valid insurance.

Williams, who was dressed in a dark suit, white shirt and dark blue tie, appeared in the dock of Chester Crown Court today. He spoke only to confirm his name and to answer ‘not guilty’ as the charges were read to him by the clerk of the court.

Williams, who has also played for England at under-20 and under-21 level, was told by Judge Simon Berkson that his trial, expected to last three days, will start on March 17 next year. He was granted unconditional bail.

The Manchester United academy graduate was involved in the traffic accident last year

A preliminary hearing at Crewe magistrates’ court last month was told that Williams had inhaled nitrous oxide from balloons before being involved in the 74mph car crash.

Prosecutor Katie Johnson told the bench that Williams had been driving his Audi at speeds over 90 mph along the A34 before crashing at 74 mph.

Ms Johnson said: ‘He was seen by witnesses to have taken nitrous oxide from balloons.’

Judge Berkson heard that Williams’s defence team would be instructing experts to give evidence on his behalf. A recording of a 999 call made shortly after the accident and items recovered from the scene would also be exhibited, the court was told.

Williams, from Harpurhey, Manchester, is a graduate of Manchester United’s academy. He made his debut for the first team in September 2019 aged 19 and went on to make 51 appearances for the first team.

Brandon Williams faces claims he inhaled laughing gas before getting involved in a car crash

However, he has spent the last few years on loan away from Old Trafford with Championship sides. 

He spent the 2021/22 season at Norwich City and in August boss Erik ten Hag sanctioned another loan move to Ipswich Town, where Williams has made 15 appearances.

He is currently injured and returned to United’s training base prior to Christmas to work on his fitness.