Who is Willy Kambwala? Man Utd starlet, 19, makes debut in huge West Ham clash

WILLY KAMBWALA is STARTING for Manchester United in a crunch clash against West Ham.

The giant defender, 19, was also named on the bench for last Sunday's Premier League visit to fierce rivals Liverpool.

But who eaxctly is he?

Who is Willy Kambwala?

Kambwala was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo but captained France Under-1

Liverpool were also linked with the centre-back three years ago.

However United won the £3.5million race to sign him from Sochaux on transfer deadline day in October 2020.

Kambwala's French club were devastated to lose their main asset - offering him professional terms to stay.

But the lure of a Prem giant was always likely to win out.

And so it proved, as Kambwala switched to Old Trafford and was set to be integrated into United's junior sides.

But an injury suffered in a  friendly against Salford kept him out for 11 months.

Kambwala, now 6ft 4ins, returned in September 2021.

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And what a return it was - as his first game back was an 8-2 victory for United's Under-18s against Birmingham.

Kambwala signed a pro deal with the Red Devils a month later.

Just last month, Red Devils' academy boss Travis Binnion hailed the attitude of Kambwala, plus fellow hot prospects Kobbie Mainoo and Dan Gore.

After all three played through injury in a match against FC Copenhagen, Binnion said: "Great credit to Kobbie, Willy and Dan, as the sort of senior players today.

"Dan got niggle and Willy got a sore foot, so for those lads to get through the 90 minutes after struggling with knocks and wanting to play, bodes well."