Manchester United have a development plan for 18-year-old striker Chido Obi, who played for Rúben Amorim last season.
When Manchester United prized Chido Obi away from Arsenal, fans were excited as they had picked up one of the most talented academy players in the country, and rightly so. Obi’s goal record precedes him as he’s the top goal scorer in under-18 Premier League history.
Rúben Amorim rewarded Obi with his debut in February 2025 in a 2-2 draw against Everton in the Premier League. The young Dane made seven Premier League appearances that season, with another game in the FA Cup.
However, this season, Obi has returned to youth football, with 13 appearances in PL2, and has recently played under Darren Fletcher for the under-18s. In United’s fourth round FA Youth Cup tie, Obi started the game, but struggled to find the net until his goal in the second half of extra time to seal a 2-1 victory. Kai Rooney made his Old Trafford debut on the same day.
This weekend, United’s U18s made the short trip to Manchester City’s academy setup to face their under-18s side. The game was a stalemate for much of the match, but Obi impressed with his off-the-ball work – both offensively and defensively.
United’s Obi plan
Due to his size, Obi has often been able to use his physicality to overpower defenders of the same age – the reason behind his acceleration through United’s youth ranks after his signing.
As reported by BBC Sport, United figures feel it is crucial for Obi to return to youth football to focus on his game away from his physicality.
United feel any judgment of Obi’s ability must take his age into account, as his first-team involvement can make it easy to forget he is just 18 years old.
The former Arsenal forward is expected to keep his starting spot for the trip to Oxford in United’s fifth-round FA Youth Cup tie, where Jim Thwaites could return to the side.
Thwaites impressed against Manchester City U18s this weekend, following a star performance in the third round of the Youth Cup before his injury.
United’s talent should give Obi time
While Obi is known as one of the more promising in United’s academy, there isn’t exactly a shortage of impressive forwards in Carrington’s ranks.
Gabriele Biancheri, who joined United from Cardiff City in 2022/23, has recently been loaned to Rotherham United in League One, where he will play alongside fellow loanee Dan Gore. The Welshman has scored five goals and assisted four in PL2 this season, despite playing in multiple roles across the frontline.
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JJ Gabriel is another known academy talent. He started the season as a centre-forward due to Louie Bradbury’s injury, but plays his best football from the left flank. Kai Rooney appears to be more of a wide player than a central striker, but he, too, can play through the middle.
Back to the first team, Benjamin Šeško has recently begun to find goal-scoring form, despite not starting games – he is just 22 years old. Bryan Mbeumo has also become a striking option under Michael Carrick, with Amad – who has also played up top – occupying the right-wing spot.
Obi has got time on his side because United don’t need a striker, as they did when Amorim promoted him to the senior side in early 2025.
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