What Willy Kambwala did to make Manchester United debut

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is convinced Willy Kambwala has the attributes of a modern centre back. Kambwala became the 248th academy graduate to debut for the United first team and performed creditably in the 2-0 defeat at West Ham.

The 19-year-old joined United in a €4million deal from Sochaux on transfer deadline day in October 2020 but his time in the academy has been beset by injuries.

With senior centre halves Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof either unwell or injured, the fit Kambwala was promoted to the starting line-up at the London Stadium six days on from making the bench in the goalless draw at Liverpool.

Ten Hag had the option to move Luke Shaw to centre half and start Sergio Reguilon at left-back but he favoured centre-back specialist Kambwala. READ MORE: Why Hojlund was substituted at West Ham READ MORE: Ten Hag explains what went wrong in latest defeat "We had five centre backs at the start of the season.