SUMMARY
- Raphael Varane is a crucial member of the eleven of Manchester United.
- The center-back how come down with an illness that sees him on the bench for the next match.
Raphael Varane’s purple patch for Manchester United only lasted a game as has not been picked in the squad for the game against West Ham United. Manchester United faces the London-based club on Saturday, December 23 after playing out a 0-0 draw against Liverpool last weekend.
Varane, who was given the man of the match last game for his outstanding presence at the back in Anfield, has not traveled with the squad to London. Varane who is often and out of the team has recently met with another setback. The Frenchman who only played a total of 825 minutes this season till now, has been caught up with illness which has forced his exit from the squad for the Premier League fixture.
Varane has been replaced by the 19-year-old French center-back named Willy Kambwala. Kambwala who will make his debut for the Red Devils against West Ham United will partner with Jonny Evans. Evans who also partnered Varane last game, also had a decent performance against Liverpool.
🚨🚨🎙️| Erik ten Hag on why Raphael Varane is not in the squad today:
“Illness” pic.twitter.com/5mvUt837Pj
— centredevils. (@centredevils) December 23, 2023
Manchester United’s defensive woes continue as Raphael Varane has been sidelined due to illness against Westham United. Varane joined the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, and Victor Lindelof who are also out for the encounter because of Injuries.
Erik ten Hag has run out of options it seems as if he has been forced to pick the 19-year-old French defender Willy Kambwala into his starting eleven against the Hammers.
Who is Willy Kambwala?
Kambwala who is going to make his first professional appearance for Manchester United was on the bench last weekend for Manchester United against Liverpool. However, he didn’t have to feature in the game as United’s defense remained rock-solid.
Kabmwala who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, represents France internationally. The 6’4″ tall center-back has been part of the Manchester United academy for three years now. Kambwala also captained France at the under-16 level.
United secured the services of the center-back from Sochaux. Kambwala was also linked to Liverpool at one point back in 2020 but ended up joining the academy of the Red Devils. He’s since come through the under-18 and under-21 ranks at the club.
🚨 | BREAKING: Willy Kambwala STARTS for #mufc vs West Ham. [@UnitedStandMUFC] pic.twitter.com/qcHoNyOOgZ
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) December 23, 2023
Kambwala was highly praised by Erik ten Hag before the game. the Dutch manager stated “He’s calm, he’s made a good impression in training. Of course, he’s inexperienced and this is a big moment for him. He’s athletic, calm on the ball, he has his opportunity now.”
Kambwala will be looking forward to making the most of the opportunity he gets in the coming weeks. While the return of Lisandro Martinez is still unknown, Harry Maguire is expected to be back within the next couple of weeks after suffering a groin injury against Bayern Munich two weeks back.