Manchester United sold star who Ruben Amorim would have loved - now he's set for Champions League

This time last year Wily Kambwala seemed destined for a bright future at Manchester United.

He had broken into the first team picture, albeit helped by a lengthy injury list, and ended the 2023-24 campaign with an FA Cup medal round his neck at Wembley. Within eight weeks he'd been sold.

Kambwala joined La Liga side Villarreal last summer in a €11.5million deal which included a €5.5m up front. United inserted a buy-back option and a sell-on clause into the deal, hinting at the player's potential.

And the youngster, who suffered an injury hit start to life in Spain, is starting to realise that with the Yellow Submarines as they close in on Champions League football.

Kambwala didn't make his first La Liga start until December - and was promptly sent off after 32 minutes - but since the turn of the year he has become a regular fixture in the squad and side. Fourteen of his 16 league appearances have come since mid January and he's played a part in a revival that has seen Villarreal lose just three of their last 16 games and move into the top five.

Fifth spot will secure Champions League football and with three games to go, Kambwala and Co are in the driving seat. They have a three point buffer to Real Betis in sixth and have already secured at least Europa League football.

For Kambwala it is a redemption story for a player who wasn't keen to leave United.

“I’m happy now and when I arrived. Coming here is the best decision for me and for my career, and to progress in football," he said, speaking in March. "I want to keep training, playing, doing well and I’m very happy here.

"In the Premier League it’s much more direct, more one-on-one, there are more duels, for example. Here it is more important to play as a team,