Willy Kambwala left Manchester United in July of last year, having joined the Premier League club from French side Sochaux in 2020.
The defender’s progress at Old Trafford was hampered by knee injuries and it wasn’t long after he’d returned to full fitness, and had got some first team minutes, that he was packed off to Villarreal on a permanent transfer.
Unfortunately, [niggling knee issues continued](https://sportwitness.co.uk/youngsters-knee-problems-relapsed-after-manchester-united-exit-hope-he-can-return-soon/) and that’s meant for a difficult first season in Spain following that Manchester United exit.
Overall, the 20-year-old has had less than 700 hundred minutes this season, spending a chunk of the current season away from the pitch. However, recent weeks have seen a marked improvement and Kambwala has made six appearances since mid December and has started two games recently.
Villarreal are currently fifth in La Liga and Kambwala knows Champions League football is within sight for the club.
Ahead of the match against local strugglers Valencia, [Mundo Deportivo](http://mundodeportivo.com) quote the young defender as saying: _“In all the leagues in the world, a derby is a derby. We need to win and that’s it. We are facing a great team. We would like to be in the Champions League next year.”_
Defence has been a problem area for Villarreal so far this season, with every team above them having conceded at least nine fewer goals. Therefore, their signing from Manchester United being back and getting regular minutes will be helpful in that Champions League quest.