Chido Obi is nearing his senior Man Utd debut. (Image: Getty)
It would be hard to identify a transfer of an academy player that generated as much buzz as Chido Obi’s summer switch from Arsenal to Manchester United. Twelve years after luring Gunners hero Robin van Persie to Old Trafford to deliver a 20th English title – and his first – bragging rights were United’s again.
The noise likely wouldn’t have been as loud had Obi not boasted such a prolific goalscoring record at youth level.
The towering 17-year-old, standing at 6ft 2in, once scored 10 goals for Arsenal against Liverpool‘s Under-16 side, an achievement that has, unsurprisingly, since been celebrated in M16.
United chiefs Jason Wilcox, Christopher Vivell and Darren Fletcher were in attendance at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday as Obi’s latest hat-trick contributed to a 5-1 FA Youth Cup mauling of Chelsea.
And the all-time record U18 Premier League goalscorer, with 41 to his name, could be about to grace the senior stage.
Obi reportedly snubbed a new contract in north London in favour of a move to Manchester due to the club’s famous track record of promoting youth into the first team.
Toby Collyer became United’s 251st academy graduate when he made his debut in the Community Shield against Manchester City last August.
Less than a year after his arrival, Obi could realistically become No. 252 after travelling with Ruben Amorim‘s squad to face Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.
Chido Obi is the all-time U18 Premier League top goalscorer. (Image: Getty)
Obi was born in November 2007 in Glostrup, a Danish town in Region Hovedstaden, one of Copenhagen’s western suburbs.
He started his youth football career at KB before joining Arsenal at the age of 14. A year later, Under-18s football beckoned.
On his first start for Arsenal‘s U18s in September 2023, Obi instantly caught attention by scoring a hat-trick in a 4-0 win against Southampton.
A meteoric rise started from there, and he also made his first appearance for the Under-21s at the age of 15. In November of that year, Mikel Arteta came calling.
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Obi – born to Nigerian Igbo parents but a Denmark youth international – trained with Arteta’s senior squad while continuing to make an impact in the academy.
In addition to his 10-goal masterclass against Liverpool, he put seven past Norwich City in a 9-0 win as part of a run of 24 strikes in seven games.
Arteta reportedly held talks with Obi over his future but couldn’t convince him to stay at the Emirates Stadium. United monitored the situation with an attractive pitch prepared.
Obi is deceptively rapid for a player of his stature, which has helped him dominate duels against opponents of a similar age but more petite frame.
Ruben Amorim needs more goals from somewhere. (Image: Getty)
He has scored 12 goals in as many appearances since joining the Red Devils, including seven in three FA Youth Cup outings.
The wonderkid’s output has predictably sparked a clamour among goal-hungry supporters to hand him his opportunity.
Ruben Amorim has maintained a cautious public approach, insisting Obi will be thrust into the spotlight of Premier League football when he’s ready.
“He’s doing his job. He’s improving and playing in the youth teams. We will see at the end of the season,” Amorim explained after last Sunday’s win against Leicester City.
But there are undoubtedly reservations about throwing Obi into what has proven to be a toxic environment at points this season.
Joshua Zirkzee experienced the worst side of disgruntled fans first-hand when Amorim hauled him off after 33 minutes in the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in December.
The Dutchman has responded to the uncomfortable boo show valiantly and has received a wealth of support from the majority of supporters since.
However, Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have scored five Premier League goals between them this season. It’s a monumental ask to rely on a teenager to fix that issue.
Amad is set to miss the rest of the season. (Image: Getty)
That said, United pride themselves on the motto: “Youth, Courage Success.”
When you’re good enough, you’re old enough at Old Trafford, and Obi looks set for a chance to prove he is.
Amorim will have to go without Amad for the remainder of the season in a devastating blow to any optimism of a positive climax.
But amongst the ruins of United’s continued torrid fortune, Carrington could once again provide a beacon of hope and excitement for the future.
As the dust still settles from Marcus Rashford’s long-expected exit, Obi could be about to follow in his footsteps. A return to north London awaits.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk