WILLY KAMBWALA has sneaked into the Manchester United first-team picture – on one of the biggest stages possible.
The giant defender, 19, was named as a sub for Sunday’s Premier League visit to leaders and fierce rivals Liverpool.
Willy Kambwala captained France U-16s and is also eligible for his birth country, the Democratic Republic of the CongoRex
So who is the starlet who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and captained France Under-16?
Ironically, Liverpool were also linked with the centre-back three years ago.
But in the end 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.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
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.
And now he’s closer than ever to a taste of senior action – with a place on the bench at Anfield.
MAN UTD NEWS LIVE: Stay up to date with all of the latest transfer and takeover news from Old Trafford