Erik ten Hag can check on two Manchester United first-team defensive options vs Wrexham

Where's Willy

Two central defenders at different stages of their career will be looking to impress Erik ten Hag at the Snapdragon Stadium when Manchester United face Wrexham in an unusual pre-season friendly.

It will be a squad made up of 'mainly' Under-21 players that Ten Hag fields against the National League champions and one player who will feel he has a real chance to impress is 18-year-old Willy Kambwala.

United signed the then 16-year-old from Ligue 2 side Sochaux for a deal worth in the region of £3.5million in 2020 and he was captain of France's Under-17 side at that stage of his career.

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He had a taste of first-team exposure last season when the 6ft 4ins defender trained with the senior squad during an injury crisis, but he is yet to be involved in a senior squad and made just six appearances in Premier League 2 last season.

But Kambwala is a highly-rated prospect and United were delighted when they signed him. He turns 19 next month and now is the time to start impressing Ten Hag, with gaps likely to appear in the squad at centre-back over the next couple of years.

Evans' experience

Kambwala will benefit from training with and potentially playing alongside Jonny Evans in San Diego this week. The 35-year-old has linked up with United for pre-season and his experience is seen as having a benefit with the young group staying in California this week.

Evans is using his time at the club to maintain his fitness as he looks for a move, having left Leicester City at the end of last