Willy Kambwala has been handed just his second
Manchester United start for their blockbuster
Premier League clash against
Liverpool . The 19-year-old will start alongside Harry Maguire in central defence at Old Trafford after Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans both suffered injuries during their 4-3 defeat at
Chelsea on Thursday. The crocked duo have added to Erik ten Hag's defensive woes with Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof still out. With those four centre-backs out injured, Ten Hag has given Kambwala a chance to impress on the biggest stage as the Red Devils look to return to winning ways. It will be his eighth United appearance and second senior start after making his full debut in the 2-0 defeat against West Ham in December. Speaking after giving the defender his senior bow, Ten Hag said: "I think his performance was very solid. You can see has a very bright future. Of course he has to work on himself, but you can see his potential and we are very pleased, I think, with his performance." Watch the Premier League title race with the best Sky Sports deals Graeme Souness lands new
Job alongside Roy Keane after surprise Sky Sports exit On his potential to develop into a top-level central defender, the United boss added: "As we’ve seen in this game, I think we have we seen many skills for a modern centre-back and as I say, I’m very pleased with his performance." Kambwala, who captained
France at Under 16 level, has been at the club for just over three years after United beat Liverpool in the race to sign him from Sochaux. He has come through the Under 18s and Under 21s ranks and had started in each of their six UEFA Youth League matches earlier this season. After playing 84 minutes on his United first-team debut at West Ham, Kambwala came on for the final couple of minutes in the 3-2 win over Aston Villa on
boxing Day. He has since been in and out of the United matchday squad but featured off the bench against
Manchester City last month. With Varane and Evans both having to be replaced due to injury on Thursday, Kamwala was thrown into the spotlight with United drawing 2-2. The Red Devils then took the lead through Alejandro Garnacho, but collapsed and conceded two stoppage-time goals to lose the match 4-3. Willy Kambwala has been handed his second Manchester United start ( Image: Getty Images) Although it was a painful ending for Kambwala and United, the DR Congo defender didn't do much wrong and will now be keen to impress once again on his first home start. He is expected to start in a back four with Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the left and Diogo Dalot starting as the right-back. United have picked up just one point from their last six and sit sixth in the table going into this afternoon's fixture. It's arguably a must-win fixture for Ten Hag's side if they still want to finish in the
Champions League . They are 12 points behind fourth-place Aston Villa with two games in hand. Join our new
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