Willy Kambwala wants to become rock at the back for Man Utd… but Erik ten Hag probably won’t be around to see it
ERIK TEN HAG insists he is still the right man to take Manchester United forward.
The Dutchman believes he can recapture their former glories, despite escaping for the second time in a row what could have been humiliation by Liverpool at the weekend.
And teen Willy Kambwala revealed his “passion” is to become a rock at the heart of United’s defence after making just his second start of the season against their bitter rivals.
United trailed 1-0 at half-time on Sunday but fought back to take a 2-1 lead before Mo Salah’s 84th-minute equaliser from the penalty spot.
Ten Hag was pleased with the second-half performance, declaring it “another signal and message for the future,” before adding, “the team and squad have high potential.”
Yet the Old Trafford chief sounds more and more like he has his finger stuck in a leaky dyke and does not think it is going to hold.
Comeback or not, United still threw away a lead for the third time in eight days following their 4-3 defeat to Chelsea and 1-1 draw with Brentford — both deep into injury time.
The gulf between Ten Hag’s side and a Champions League place is as wide as the North Sea.
And his body language suggests he expects to be crossing it to go back to Holland with his P45 this summer.
Players, even under-performing ones like most of Ten Hag’s desperately dysfunctional bunch, do not take kindly to being called “stupid”.
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Yet that is exactly how he described them for chucking away seven points, allowing Brentford to equalise in the first of those games before the collapse at Chelsea, which was thanks to goals in the 100th and 101st minutes from Cole Palmer.
There was a pleading reminder that injuries to defenders have consistently undermined results, pointing out he had been forced into 27 rearguard changes this season.
Ten Hag said: “When we get players back we will be better. The future will be very good.”
Even if he really does want to stay at Old Trafford, it is doubtful Sir Jim Ratcliffe will let him.
More likely the Red Devils’ billionaire new part-owner will have heard Jurgen Klopp’s throwaway line after his latest visit to the Theatre of Dreams.
His assessment of United was no doubt laced with bitterness, having left in frustration again following last month’s 4-3 FA Cup defeat — when United nicked victory from the jaws of defeat in extra-time.
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Asked if he would be supporting them when they host title rivals Arsenal on May 11, the German gruffly declared if United play like they did against his side, he was “100 per cent sure” the Gunners would win.
Centre-back Kambwala was a rare positive for United, with the 19-year-old the latest academy graduate to be brought through by Ten Hag.
And he is determined to become a regular starter, just like Kobbie Mainoo, 18, and Alejandro Garnacho, 19.
Kambwala said: “I’m so proud of how we fought together. I know what I need to do — I need to give everything to leave everything on the pitch.
“That’s what I Iike to do. It’s my job, my passion. Hopefully, there is more to come in the future.”