Willy Kambwala: Why Man United Boss ten Hag Gave Teen Defender His 1st EPL Star Against West Ham

• Man United boss Erik ten Hag selected a relatively young squad for their game against West Ham
• The starting lineup featured Congolese-born French defender Willy Kambwala
• Despite his presence in the starting XI raising eyebrows, Ten Hag has reposed confidence in him

Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, shed light on his decision to grant French teenage defender Willy Kambwala his debut Premier League start in their upcoming clash against West Ham.

Ten Hag's Red Devils seek a rebound following a solid defensive performance that saw them secure a goalless draw against Liverpool in their last Premier League fixture.

The notable inclusion of youngster Willy Kambwala in the starting lineup appeared almost obligatory for the under-pressure Dutch tactician, who continues to navigate the absence of key players like Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, and several other first-choice options.

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Kambwala's placement at the heart of the defence alongside the experienced Johnny Evans marks the latest pairing in a string of 10 different centre-back combinations United have employed this season, as per Statman Dave's records.

Ten Hag elucidated that Kambwala's selection stemmed from the 19-year-old's commendable performances during training sessions despite acknowledging his lack of experience.

“He's calm, he's made a good impression in training”.

However, the manager emphasised Willy's defensive capabilities, deeming him a suitable fit for the upcoming challenge against West Ham.

“Of course, he's inexperienced, which is a big moment for him. He's athletic, calm on the ball, he has his opportunity now”, he told TNT as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

Additionally, the 53-year-old manager notably included three teenagers in the starting XI, with Kobbie Mainoo and 19-year-old winger Alejandro Garnacho joining Kambwala in the lineup.

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Fans react to Kambwala's United debut

In a related publication, Sports Brief reported that football fans had a unified reaction upon seeing Erik ten Hag's starting XI against West Ham United.

A standout highlight was the inclusion of young talent Willy Kambwala, who received a rare start for the team. This marks his first appearance in the starting lineup, despite previous occasions where he was named on the bench.

Kambwala, at just 19 years old, notably represents France at the international level and even captained the U-17 side when he was only 16.