Man Utd wonderkid Willy Kambwala shows class in winter break by following Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s tradition

10 months ago 45

MANCHESTER United youngster Willy Kambwala showed his class and followed in the footsteps of Thierry Henry by returning to one of the clubs that made the pair.

The rising Red Devils starlet made his senior debut against West Ham in December after being thrown in the team by Erik ten Hag owing to an injury crisis.

Manchester United star Willy Kambwala paid a visit to old club Les Ulis[/caption]

Kambwala made his Man Utd debut against West Ham in December[/caption]

Kambwala, 19, has since featured again off the bench against Aston Villa and Wigan.

The defender could have spent the winter break jetting off to enjoy some sun, like team-mates Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire who enjoyed time in Dubai.

However, Kambwala showed his class by paying a visit to French club Les Ulis, where the teen spent five years as a schoolboy.

Based in a suburb of Paris, Kambwala headed to his old stomping ground to carry on a tradition of players who have passed through the doors of the club.

He was pictured alongside some of the current crop of their budding young footballers on Instagram.

Kambwala also gifted an autographed Man Utd top to his old side, with the club captioning the post: “Tradition is being respected.”

His visit has seen the centre-back follow in the footsteps of Premier League icon Henry and fellow Man Utd star Anthony Martial.

Henry paid a visit to the club in 2007 after signing for Barcelona, while Martial did the same after signing for the Red Devils.

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Martial reportedly invited Les Ulis to a tour of Old Trafford in 2018, with Kambwala, 13, believed to be among the group.

Other notable names to come through the ranks of Les Ulis include Man Utd Champions League winner Patrice Evra and ex-Arsenal star Yana Sanogo.

Kambwala joined United in 2020, with the club keeping faith in him following an 11-month injury lay-off he suffered weeks after arriving.

Fast forward and manager Ten Hag has lavished praise on the defender.

The Dutchman said: “He makes a good impression in training and during games of the Under-21s.

“So we decided to play him. I think he has shown he has the capabilities.

“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.”