Willy Kambwala could get his sliding doors moment at Manchester United

It only takes one chance to transform a football career, and Willy Kambwala is closer than ever to getting his at Manchester United.

United have their options depleted amid an ongoing injury woes, with key defensive duo Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane both sidelined for the forseeable future.

But for every setback there is also a new opportunity for someone else to step-up. It could well be an academy ace who gets an unlikely chance between now and the end of the season.

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Kambwala, 18, was one of many top talents brought to the club three years ago as part of a ploy to raid other academies of some of the most promising players in Europe.

The French centre-back joined in the same season as Marc Jurado (from Barcelona), Alvaro Fernandez (Real Madrid), Alejandro Garnacho (Atletico Madrid), Isak Hansen-Aaroen (Tromso) and Radek Vitek (Olomouc). United also looked to poach promising homegrown talent in the form of Charlie McNeill (Man City) and Joe Hugill and Logan Pye (both Sunderland).

It is understood United agreed a package worth in the region of £3.5million, for the then 16-year-old, a glowing endorsement of how good they believed he could become.

Kambwala had been a standout defensive prospect throughout his development in France, having captained the U17s at that time, and have typically played up one or two age groups from a young age.

Even on his United debut, the talent was clear to see. Kambwala, who was the youngest player on the pitch, looked effortless both in and out of possession, not only excelling as a robust central defender, but also showcasing the agility and ball-playing skills to be an ideal modern centre-back.

He has just about