When Raphael Varane singled out one of Manchester United’s brightest young talents for praise back in February, it certainly had the feeling of the old mentor speaking in glowing terms about his budding protege.
Three months on, with the former Real Madrid colossus becoming the first of what is likely to be many high-profile departures at Old Trafford this summer, a handing over of the baton sort of moment appears to be approaching.
Goodbye Raphael Varane, welcome to the big stage Willy Kambwala.
“He is showing his qualities,” Varane, one of the finest and most decorated centre-halves of the 21st century, told the Manchester United’s website of his fellow Frenchman.
“I think he will play more matches in the future and continue to improve. He is very young, but he is showing his qualities and we trust him.
“He has a great future.”
Raphael Varane is leaving Manchester United
Varane confirmed on Tuesday that he will leave Old Trafford when his contract expires in July. As a result, player tipped for a bright ‘future’ at Manchester United by the World Cup winner himself may soon be afforded the opportunity to prove he can make his mark in the present.
Kambwala stepped in when Varane was ruled out with yet another injury during the recent 2-2 draw with Liverpool. And if his peerless performance on that April afternoon was anything to go by, the 19-year-old France youth star deserves the opportunity to prove that this was not merely a one-off.
With Varane’s departure now made official, the ‘opportunity’ Kambwala has been waiting for might just have arrived; Ineos’ Red Devils revolution expected to be built upon a platform of potential and the latest generation of La Carrington graduates.
“(Kambwala) has been training a while with us and progressing well,” Ten Hag told BBC Sport after that exceptional display against Liverpool at the start of April.
“The next generation need to step in and he is doing brilliant. The challenge for him is doing it consistently. Today, he deserved (his chance) and he showed (his abilities) on the pitch.”
Willy Kambwala has his big chance
Ten Hag, who’s biggest Man United legacy may yet be his role in promoting Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Kambwala, previously described the teen defender as a centre-half with the skillset required to thrive in the ‘modern’ game.
Like a young Varane, Kambwala is not only a fearsome physical specimen at 6ft 4ins, he also boasts serious pace – a must for any coach looking to instil a high-defensive line – and the passing range to break the lines.
Of course, with Man United looking to bring in at least one new centre-half this summer – Jarrad Branthwaite is reportedly the number one target – Kambwala will not simply stroll into Man United’s starting XI.
But with one Varane-shaped obstacle out the way already, if 2023/24 was the season when Kambwala made his breakthrough, then 2024/25 could be the season where Kambwala makes his name.
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