Manchester United saw young defender Willy Kambwala step up and play an important role for the first team at the weekend.
A defensive injury crisis has created an opportunity for Willy Kambwala, and he looks intent on seizing his spot.
The circumstances behind the rise are reminiscent of Marcus Rashford‘s back in 2016.
It was an injury crisis underLouis van Gaal which saw Manchester United turn to the academy kid, with Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial unavailable.
Rashford struck four goals in two games and never looked back, establishing himself as a first team player who has now made 396 appearances for the club.
Kambwala’s involvement has been slightly more ‘stop-start’, yet the echoes are familiar. Injuries to senior stars have created a pathway for him to feature, when he normally would not have been selected.
Erik ten Hag says Kambwala has also impressed in training, and his performance against Liverpool earned rave reviews.
Now the challenge is for him to follow Rashford and stay in the team long-term. At the very least, he’s got a chance.
Kambwala can become prize asset for Ineos
Willy Kambwala’s emergence comes at a very interesting time for Manchester United, with new investors Ineos looking to plan for the future.
Ineos want Manchester United to act smartly in the transfer market, eyeing stars of the future and not simply chasing big names.
Well, in this case, Manchester United were already on track. Kambwala was signed when he was just 16, arriving from Sochaux.
It’s the type of deal that United would now have to wait on until he’s 18, due to Brexit rules, but there is a work around if a player can be signed to Nice or Lausanne instead, Ineos’ other clubs.
Kambwala is the type of talent United want to sign and build around. While Kobbie Mainoo stands out for all the right reasons as a homegrown talent, Kambwala can emblemise what Ineos want to do with recruitment, buying stars of the future and building a team around them.
New expected technical directorJason Wilcox has a track record of working with and developing young players and Kambwala fits the bill.
The young Frenchman still has to perform and show he deserves to stay in the side, but at just 19, he warrants an opportunity and a long-term contract is looking likely.
Kambwala can change Manchester United plans
Manchester United need to overhaul the centre-back department this summer. It’s possible that Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane all move on. And right now, Lisandro Martinez can’t be relied on to stay fit.
The Red Devils will sign a centre-back, that’s certain. Kambwala’s rise will factor into how many the club need to sign.
Instead of apportioning say £70 million to two centre-backs, United may be able to use the majority of this on one, signing a better player, and put the rest of the money towards other positions.
Kambwala now has to demonstrate he deserves to have a regular squad spot next season and can be relied upon in 2024/25.
It’s a big jump, but one he can make, providing he follows up his strong display against Liverpool.
Another test against Bournemouth awaits, along with the FA Cup semi-final. Kambwala’s stock could go backwards if he gets it wrong, and United might decide a loan is needed for him next season instead.
But if he follows the path he has been taking, with a real determination to grasp his chance like Marcus Rashford once did, we would bet on Kambwala to succeed and play a big part for the club moving forward.