Incredible story of Willy Kambwala, Man United debutant against West Ham

Willy Kambwala starts against West Ham United in the Premier League

Erik ten Hag made a surprise inclusion in Manchester United‘s starting 11 against West Ham United. Young French defender Willy Kambwala appeared in the senior team for the first time.

In the 2017-18 season, Kanbwala was with a group of his friends and he said, “One day, I will return to the club to play for Man United.”

The 19-year-old joined Manchester United from Ligue 2 side Sochaux in 2020 for a deal worth in the region of £3.5million.

A centre-back who stands at a towering 6ft 4in, he is yet to make a senior appearance for the Red Devils but has experience with the first team.

Having, as mentioned, been named on the bench against Liverpool last week, Kambwala has also trained with the senior squad both this season and last.

Moreover, Kambwala captained France U17s when he was just 16, such is his pedigree.

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The youngster is also eligible to represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo in senior international football.

Though he is yet to have played a senior minute, Kambwala has made 15 appearances for United’s youth teams this term.

Six of those appearances have come in the Premier League’s Professional Development League while six have been in the UEFA Youth League.

He has also played three times in the EFL Trophy this season. While yet to score, Kambwala has picked up three bookings this term.

The Manchester Evening News claimed Kambwala is a “well-known figure among the club’s youth ranks”, adding he is “highly rated as a youngster in his homeland and arrived as part of United’s policy to recruit the best youngsters in the business”.

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