Who is Willy Kambwala? The French wonderkid named in Man Utd's squad to face Liverpool

Manchester United travel to face Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

It is the first time United have visited Anfield since their 7-0 humiliation at the hands of Jurgen Klopp's side last season.

Liverpool are currently 10 points ahead of United, who were dumped out of Europe on Tuesday night after a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich – a result which ensured they finished bottom of their Champions League group.

Erik ten Hag's side travel to Merseyside without several key players including suspended captain Bruno Fernandes and injured defenders Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire.

Their injury crisis has forced Ten Hag to delve into his reserves, with youngster Willy Kambwala named in the matchday squad.

Who is Willy Kambwala?

Kambwala, 19, joined United from Ligue 2 side Sochaux in 2020 for a deal worth in the region of £3.5m.

A central defender who stands at 6ft 4in, he is yet to make a senior appearance for the Red Devils.

He has, however, had experience with the first-team – training with the senior squad both this season and last.

At the age of 16, he captained the French U17 side and is also eligible to represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo in senior international football.

How has he played this season?

While he is yet to make his senior appearance, he has made 15 appearances in youth football for United this season.

He has played six times in Premier League's Professional Development League and six times in the UEFA Youth League.

Kambwala started at centre-back in United's 2-0 defeat to Bayern in the UEFA Youth League on September 20.

Meanwhile, he has also played three times in the EFL Trophy this season.

He is yet to score in the current campaign and has picked up three bookings.

What has been said about him?

The Manchester Evening News claim Kambwala is a "well-known figure among the club's youth ranks".

The report added 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".

Speaking last month, academy boss Travis Binnion praised Kambwala as well as Kobbie Mainoo and Dan Gore for playing through injuries in a match against FC Copenhagen.

"Great credit to Kobbie, Willy and Dan, as the sort of senior players today," he said.

"Dan got niggle on Friday 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."