Willy Kambwala has received plaudits across the board for his impressive showings during his breakthrough season with Manchester United.
The young Frenchman has been called upon to deputise this season amidst the ongoing, debilitating injury crisis at Old Trafford.
In December 2023, Kambwala made his senior debut when the Reds took on West Ham United at the London Stadium as he partnered veteran Jonny Evans in the backline. Of course, the game ended in a dismal defeat for Erik ten Hag’s men, but the 19-year-old could hold his head high after a spirited shift.
In order to keep his development on its upward trajectory, Ten Hag continued to grant Kambwala brief cameos off the bench in both the league and FA Cup before a quadruple injury blow led to him being the only centre-half available to partner Harry Maguire against Liverpool last Sunday.
He was tasked with keeping the then-league leaders’ ever-relentless attackers quiet at Old Trafford and did a commendable job while doing so.
Willy Kambwala's game by numbers vs. Liverpool
100% ground duels won
100% tackles won
29 passes completed
3 clearances
2 interceptionsStepped up in the toughest game in English football. 🛡🛡🛡 pic.twitter.com/1nn5eS7Yvh
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 7, 2024
Kambwala’s exemplary resilience
Aside from his efforts on the pitch, what he’s doing off of it is equally as admirable. Having struggled with frequent fitness issues in the past, Manchester Evening News reports that the Carrington graduate ‘does extensive injury prevention work before training sessions and he has been fit for practically the entirety of the campaign’.
They add: “Kambwala tends to turn up for United training two-and-a-half hours before the scheduled arrival time. Sources who deal with club players say he is relentlessly positive.
“Those who work at Carrington say he is one of the most enthusiastic players at United. ‘You can tell he’s buzzing to be around the training ground every day,’ one said.”
