Erik ten Hag praises Manchester United star Willy Kambwala for his performance against Liverpool
Erik ten Hag has praised manchester united star Wily Kambwala for his impressive coming-of-age display in the Liverpool Clash and explains the reason behind his start in defense, speaking to the BBC. as cited by Metro.
The Dutch tactician made the brave decision to name up to three teenagers in the starting line-up against Liverpool and it's safe to say the gamble paid off. While Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have been regular fixtures in the starting XI this season, the decision to field Kambwala was more out of necessity due to injuries to Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martínez and Victor Lindelof.
That said, as Ten Hag himself admitted after the match, it would have been safer for the coach to abandon casemiro in defense and bring Mason Mount or Scott McTominay into midfield. The former Ajax coach showed bravery by fielding the 19-year-old against rivals such as Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez and it is fair to say that they did not disappoint.
Kambwala played the entire game and made two clearances, two interceptions and won a tackle without being dribbled even once. He won two of the three ground duels from him and the only aerial duel from him. He also completed 81% of his passes, including two of every five long balls attempted.
A morale-boosting performance
Although the match ended in a 2-2 draw for Man Utd, it felt like a moral victory after the way their last two first division games played. It would have been fun to get past their arch-rivals, but taking the Premier League title equation out of their hands is definitely a sweet feeling for Man Utd.
Speaking about Kambwala's performance and the decision to put him in the firing line in a game of this magnitude, here is what Erik ten Hag had to say as quoted by the Metro:
“The decision to bring Willy is because he has been training with us for a long time and in his first game against western ham At United he also did very well, his progress is amazing. During training we had no doubts and, for example, we could also have dropped Casemiro and then added another midfielder. We were convinced that he could do the job and he has done it brilliantly. “I am very happy, very happy and it is another sign and message for the future of Manchester United.”
“Now the challenge for him is to do it consistently because, in the next few weeks, many players will not return.”
'So it's a great opportunity for him. We also have other options. We can also place Casemiro in a central position. But I think today's choice was absolutely deserved and he showed it on the field.”
The crucial phase for Kambwala is the need to start carrying out these types of performances consistently. With Varane and Evans not expected to return anytime soon, the 19-year-old could have a long career in central defense and his performances could go a long way to establishing his first-team future.
Kambwala will be at his best after that performance against Liverpool. However, it is important to stand firm and realize that the road to success will be long. He doesn't need any more inspiration than Mainoo and Garnacho to continue and let's hope he can become a special player in Man Utd's history.
