Manchester United plan to rebuff interest in emerging talent after Ten Hag granted senior debut this season

Willy Kambwala is reportedly attracting loan interest after his promotion to Manchester United’s senior squad.

The 19-year-old was granted his maiden outing in the first-team last year in place of numerous sidelined centre-backs when the Reds took on West Ham United at the London Stadium prior to Christmas; Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof were all unavailable, so space opened up for Kambwala to partner veteran Jonny Evans.

Indeed, United sustained a dismal 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Irons, but supporters were left optimistic by the youngster’s mature showing on the big stage.

Kambwala then made a brief cameo in the closing stages of Boxing Day’s triumphant comeback win over Aston Villa, as well as in the side’s third-round FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic. He has been named on the bench for the past two league games.

Kambwala attracting loan interest

As per sources at UtdDistrict, the Carrington graduate is being targeted by clubs for a potential loan transfer from now until the end of the campaign, however, United have no plans to sanction his exit mid-season.

🚨 | EXCLUSIVE: Willy Kambwala attracting loan interest with #mufc's stance revealed 👇https://t.co/pUu807Emjz

— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) January 18, 2024

The debilitating injury crisis in the backline has likely made Ten Hag wary of overseeing defenders’ departures in case Kambwala needs to be called upon again.