Willy Kambwala has revealed that a Manchester United legend’s career trajectory was “really inspirational” for him and he wanted to follow in his footsteps.
The Manchester United defender has emerged in the club’s first team this season and has been tipped as a future talent at Old Trafford under manager Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag even handed Willy Kambwala a rare start for United in his side’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham, despite the Red Devils centre-back impressing with his performance.
Following his United debut, Kambwala made a brief cameo in United’s 3-2 win against Aston Villa and posted a message about his first appearance at Old Trafford.
The United centre-back has even made brief appearances in United’s 2-0 FA Cup win against Wigan and 4-2 victory over Newport County in the cup competition.
Despite being further down the pecking order under Ten Hag, Kambwala remains keen to retain his place in the United first-team squad and challenge for regular minutes.
Kambwala talks up Man Utd legend
Willy Kambwala spent his youth playing career at sides like Elan Chevilly Larue, Les Ulis and Sochaux before he arrived at Old Trafford in 2020.
The Manchester United player was linked with Liverpool at the time, but Kambwala instead completed a deadline-day move to the Red Devils for a reported £3.5m fee.
Speaking to Manchester United’s official website, Kambwala opened up about his experience at French side Les Ulis.
Les Ulis were the team where United legend Patrice Evra and Arsenal icon Thierry Henry started their respective careers at youth level.
The French side also developed youth products like United striker Anthony Martial, who is linked with an exit from Old Trafford this summer.
Kambwala has revealed that Evra was a big inspiration for him and was keen to follow in his footsteps after what he achieved following his development at Les Ulis.
“Of course. I was like, ‘Okay, if he [Evra] did it from here, I can do it as well,’” he said.
“We had a main building [at Les Ulis] with all the shirts on the wall and I was like, ‘Yeah, one day I want my shirt to be on this wall.’ So, it was really inspirational.
“Every coach over there was talking about [those players] because they had them when they were kids. It helps you to know what you have to do.”
Kambwala on his time at Les Ulis
Kambwala candidly opened up about his path into professional football and his valuable time at Les Ulis, saying that it felt like his “first proper” club.
“I think, like every kid, you’re just playing football all the time with friends or sometimes alone,” he said.
“Not watching a lot, but just playing and thinking about it all the time — thinking about my dreams a lot.
“It was the best moment to share with friends and family as a young kid.
“I have really, really good memories about that. The most important was just having a ball or something to kick, even a bottle.
“I had a club as well – Les Ulis was where I really started. It wasn’t my first club, but it was my first proper one.”
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