Manchester United brought on defender Willy Kambwala against Chelsea, but it was not his preferred move.
In the 66th minute at Stamford Bridge, Erik ten Hag turned to his bench and finally called on his number 53, Willy Kambwala.
Kambwala is the sixth choice centre-back at Manchester United, perhaps seventh choice if Luke Shaw is fit.
But given the circumstances, Kambwala should have been bumped up the pecking order considerably for the past few games, now Erik ten Hag is depending on him.
Manchester United defensive injuries
Manchester United have been reeling with defensive injuries, and two may have been avoidable if Erik ten Hag had trusted Willy Kambwala fully.
Let’s take the match against Brentford when Victor Lindelof suffered a hamstring injury. Lisandro Martinez was thrown on in his place.
Martinez looked off the pace, and two days later in a recovery session, the Argentine broke down with a calf injury in training. He will miss a month.
Would this have been avoidable if he had been rested against Brentford, and Willy Kambwala thrown on in his place?
While we don’t quite know the answer to that one definitively, there is a certainty around Jonny Evans’ injury last night.
With Raphael Varane unable to continue in the second half, again, Jonny Evans was selected in his place.
Evans had just one training session before the game at Carrington, and had missed the previous two games plus the international breakwith an ‘ongoing’ issue.
It took just 20 minutes for Evans to break down. He had to be substituted off, with Ten Hag finally turning to Kambwala.
How much damage was done to the Northern Irishman? We wait to learn the extent of this latest setback.
What we do know, is that it was avoidable, if Ten Hag had just showed faith in Kambwala in the very first place.
There’s a case Evans’ experience was required. But you also have to take into account his lack of fitness, while looking at the bigger picture. United might have lost him for the upcoming semi-final, like Martinez.
How Willy Kambwala played
Willy Kambwala, 19, was on the pitch as United conceded two late goals to blow the game, but neither of these were anywhere near his fault. He played a very competent game.
Kambwala made three clearances, and was two minutes away from playing a role in a 3-2 win.
His calm performance demonstrated Ten Hag’s error. He could have relied on him ahead of Martinez and Evans, considering their injury situations.
United may need him against Liverpool this weekend to partner Harry Maguire, United’s one fit senior centre-back, who has become the team’s most important player as a result.
Erik ten Hag should have just trusted Kambwala against Brentford and against Chelsea. Then perhaps he might have had Evans, or/and Martinez available for the Liverpool game.