Manchester United were without a number of central defenders for the match against Liverpool, leading to a start for Willy Kambwala.
Willy Kambwala was thrown in for just his second ever Premier League start, against Liverpool at Old Trafford.
It was a daunting prospect, and a task Kambwala demonstrated he was not at all afraid of. The young Frenchman did himself and Manchester United proud with a confident, controlled performance.
United drew the game 2-2, with experienced defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka giving away a penalty, which cancelled out Kobbie Mainoo’s strike to put the team 2-1 up.
Kambwala was nonetheless excellent, as part of a makeshift backline alongside Harry Maguire.
With Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw sidelined, it is a partnership the team may need to lean on.
Rio Ferdinand and Harry Maguire agree on Willy Kambwala
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was at Old Trafford and went live on YouTube after the draw.
He picked out three players he was impressed by, lauding Kambwala as ‘magnificent’.
Ferdinand said: “Harry Maguire and Willy at centre-half, two brilliant performances, I thought even though we did give up a lot of chances, the reason was we were so easy to play through. Dalot I thought was exceptional at times as well.
“For a young centre-back in a game with a real fiery atmosphere, for him to come in and put in a performance like that, I thought he was magnificent today.
“What I liked about him he was he was making the tackle, getting up, getting the crowd involved, the emotion. You could see he understood, I really liked [it].”
Asked for his man of the match, Ferdinand responded: “100 per cent Kambwala. Done his thing, full of passion.”
Maguire, one of Manchester United’s player praised by Ferdinand, took to Instagram after the game to post a picture alongside Kambwala.
He wrote an accompanying message: “This man was magnificent today”, and tagged Kambwala in the post.
Danny Simpson praises Willy Kambwala
On MUTV, former centre-back David May provided his instant verdict on Kambwala, describing his performance as ‘unbelievable’.
Former academy full-back Danny Simpson offered his view, telling the channel’s Matchday Review he was just as impressed with his attitude as his talent.
He said: “I said on the show earlier that he’s a good strong defender, he’s good on the ball.
“You see moments with him and Nunez where he kind of made a mistake in the first half but he’s got the pace and power to get back in and get the block.
“I thought you know he’s had a good game when you haven’t noticed him and a defender that means you’ve had a good game.”