Manchester United plan to rebuff interest in emerging talent after Ten Hag granted senior debut this season

West Ham United's English striker #20 Jarrod Bowen (R) crosses the ball in front of Manchester United's Conoglese-born French defender #53 Willy Kambwala (L) during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Manchester United at the London Stadium, in London on December 23, 2023. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Willy Kambwala is reportedly attracting loan interest after his promotion to Manchester United’s senior squad.

The 19-year-old was granted his maiden outing in the first-team last year in place of numerous sidelined centre-backs when the Reds took on West Ham United at the London Stadium prior to Christmas; Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof were all unavailable, so space opened up for Kambwala to partner veteran Jonny Evans.

Indeed, United sustained a dismal 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Irons, but supporters were left optimistic by the youngster’s mature showing on the big stage.

Kambwala then made a brief cameo in the closing stages of Boxing Day’s triumphant comeback win over Aston Villa, as well as in the side’s third-round FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic. He has been named on the bench for the past two league games.

Kambwala attracting loan interest

As per sources at UtdDistrict, the Carrington graduate is being targeted by clubs for a potential loan transfer from now until the end of the campaign, however, United have no plans to sanction his exit mid-season.

The debilitating injury crisis in the backline has likely made Ten Hag wary of overseeing defenders’ departures in case Kambwala needs to be called upon again.

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