Manchester United youngster Willy Kambwala was a surprise and deserving name on the bench at Anfield at the weekend.
A shortage of available centre-backs led to a call-up for Willy Kambwala, to strengthen the first team squad.
Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof were all unavailable, with Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans starting.
Willy Kambwala, 19, was included on the bench as cover, the first time he has ever made the matchday squad.
Willy Kambwala sends message
Willy Kambwala was pleased to make the step forward, and wrote on Instagram that he is hopeful for more opportunities.
He said: “What an incredible experience I feel blessed. thanks God for this opportunity. Hopefully more to come.”
Kambwala received a message from his former academy teammate Teden Mengi, now at Luton Town, who wrote: “I’m very proud of you my little brother.”
Kambwala could make the bench again
While Kambwala was the only centre-back on the bench at Anfield, he probably was not the next in line if Varane or Evans had suffered an injury.
United would likely have turned to Luke Shaw at centre-back, bringing Aaron Wan-Bissaka and switching Diogo Dalot to left-back.
However, with Dalot suspended against West Ham for a ridiculously harsh red card against Liverpool, this won’t be an option, so Kambwala is likely to be needed as cover again, if Lindelof or Maguire is not fit.
Kambwala has overcome his share of injury issues since joining the club from Sochaux in 2020, but he has stayed fit this season and made 15 appearances in all competitions.
Ten Hag’s decision to call him into the squad is a sign of satisfaction with his progress, and ha clearly made the teenager hungry for more.
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