WILLY KAMBWALA has sneaked into Manchester United’s match-day squad for the first time – on one of the biggest stages possible.
The giant defender, 19, was named on the bench for Sunday’s Premier League visit to leaders and fierce rivals Liverpool.
So who is the starlet who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and captained France Under-16?
Ironically, Liverpool were also linked with the centre-back three years ago.
But in the end United won the £3.5million race to sign him from Sochaux on transfer deadline day in October 2020.
Kambwala’s French club were devastated to lose their main asset – offering him professional terms to stay.
But the lure of a Prem giant was always likely to win out.
And so it proved, as Kambwala switched to Old Trafford and was set to be integrated into United’s junior sides.
But an injury suffered in a friendly against Salford kept him out for 11 months.
Kambwala, now 6ft 4ins, returned in September 2021.
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And what a return it was – as his first game back was an 8-2 victory for United‘s Under-18s against Birmingham.
Kambwala signed a pro deal with the Red Devils a month later.
And now he’s closer than ever to a taste of senior action – with a place on the bench at Anfield.
Just last month, Red Devils’ academy boss Travis Binnion hailed the attitude of Kambwala, plus fellow hot prospects Kobbie Mainoo and Dan Gore.
After all three played through injury in a match against FC Copenhagen, Binnion said: “Great credit to Kobbie, Willy and Dan, as the sort of senior players today.
“Dan got niggle and Willy got a sore foot, so for those lads to get through the 90 minutes after struggling with knocks and wanting to play, bodes well.”
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