Who is Willy Kambwala? The French wonderkid starts for Man Utd against West Ham

Willy Kambwala is in Erik ten Hag's XI to take on West Ham this afternoon. But who is the French wonderkid?

After being named on the bench for Manchester United's draw against Liverpool last week, Kambwala starts for Ten Hag's side against West Ham.

But who is the young defender, filling in amid an injury crisis among United's senior centre-backs?

The 19-year-old joined United from Ligue 2 side Sochaux in 2020 for a deal worth in the region of £3.5million.

A centre-back who stands at a towering 6ft 4in, he is yet to make a senior appearance for the Red Devils, but has experience with the first team.

Having, as mentioned, been named on the bench against Liverpool last week, Kambwala has also trained with the senior squad both this season and last.

Moreover, Kambwala captained France's U17s when he was just 16, such is his pedigree.

The youngster is also eligible to represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo in senior international football.

Though he is yet to have played a senior minute, Kambwala has made 15 appearances for United's youth teams this term.

Six of those appearances have come in the Premier League's Professional Development League while six have been in the UEFA Youth League.

Indeed, the teenager started at centre-back in the Old Trafford club's 2-0 defeat to Bayern in the UEFA Youth League back in September.

He has also played three times in the EFL Trophy this season. While yet to score, Kambwala has picked up three bookings this term.

The Manchester Evening News claimed Kambwala is a "well-known figure among the club's youth ranks", adding he is "highly rated as a youngster in his homeland and arrived as part of United’s policy to recruit the best youngsters in the business".