With a host of defenders out injured, Kambwala played the full 90 minutes of Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool, alongside Harry Maguire.
And with Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw all missing, Ten Hag says the 19-year-old is set for further chances in the coming weeks.
United’s next fixture is against Cherries at Vitality Stadium on Saturday (5.30pm).
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Speaking after the draw with Liverpool, Ten Hag said of Varane and Evans: “I don’t think, at short notice, they will return.
“The decision to bring Willy in is because he has been training with us for a long time and in his first game against West Ham United, he also did very well.
“During training, we didn’t have any doubts and, for instance, we could have also brought Casemiro down (to centre-back) and then bring another midfielder in.
“We were convinced he could do the job and he has done brilliant.
“I am very pleased, very happy and it is another signal and message of the future of Manchester United.”
Ten Hag added: “Now it’s the challenge for him to do it consistently, because, in the coming weeks, they will not return, so many players.
“So it’s a great opportunity for him.
“We have other options, but (on Sunday) he absolutely deserved it and he showed it on the pitch.”
French youth international Kambwala joined Man Utd’s academy from Sochaux in 2020 and has made eight senior appearances this season, six as a substitute.
