Manchester United decided to cash in on promising defender Willy Kambwala during the transfer window. He has just made his La Liga debut.
Willy Kambwala made his Manchester United debut last December, as an emergency call-up amid an injury crisis.
The promising centre-back made 10 appearances in total, before making a surprise exit this summer, signing with Villarreal.
His decision to leave United has been justified early on. He was named as a starter in Villarreal’s second game of the season.
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Willy Kambwala features with Eric Bailly
Willy Kambwala’s Villarreal debut came alongside a face familiar to Manchester United supporters, Eric Bailly.
Bailly re-signed with Villarreal in January after a nightmare stint with Besiktas, who he had initially joined following his contract at United being torn up last September.
Manchester United supporters on X could not believe the sight of Kambwala and Bailly playing together in La Liga, taking on Sevilla and winning 2-1.
One fan wrote: “Eric Bailly x Kambwala CB partnership for Villarreal looks fun but shaky.”
Another noted: “They found their levels and happy to see them play regular football.”
A third added: “Eric Bailly and Kambwala CB partnership has been solid in this match.”
And another fan wrote: “Kambwala and Eric Bailly some partnership that.”
Another supporter wrote optimistically: “Kambwala solid at centre back at Villarreal. Sell on fee to MUFC will be huge.”
One fan wrote: “Bailly and Kambwala partner in defence for Villarreal tonight. They’ve been decent so far. Bailly can never change.”
There was a La Liga account which praised Kambwala as ‘imperious’ on his ‘brilliant debut’, observing that his performance was even more impressive because it came alongside the ‘more chaotic’ Bailly.
Willy Kambwala’s successful debut
Willy Kambwala picked up a minor injury in pre-season which delayed his debut, he replaced Raul Albiol for this one.
Days earlier, Villarreal signed Cape Verde defender Logan Costa for £15 million, adding to the competition for places in central defence.
On this showing, it might be Eric Bailly who drops out, and Willy Kambwala who retains his place.
Bailly failed to complete a tackle and attempted 11 long balls, successful with only two of them. He then suffered an injury in the 85th minute and could not complete the game.
Kambwala lasted the whole match, including the fifth minute of stoppage time when Ayoze Perez struck a winner.
The young Frenchman won nine duels, the most of any player on the pitch, at a 100 per cent success rate. He also won two tackles, and made five clearances.
Kambwala wrote on Instagram that he was ‘very proud’ to make his debut for his new club.
Manchester United have a buy-back clause for Kambwala and a sell-on fee, so it will be interesting to see how he continues to develop in Spain.
His debut underlines what we witnessed at United, that he has a real chance to be a top player, and it already looks as though he will get more opportunities at Villarreal than had he stayed at Old Trafford.
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