Denmark U21s boss sends warning to Chido Obi after Man Utd starlet receives international call-up

Chido Obi received his first call-up to Denmark’s U21s side after recently emerging as a first-team player at Manchester United.

Manchester United have struggled with goalscoring this season, with strikers Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee finding it difficult to hit the target.

In the January transfer window, the Reds loaned out Antony and Marcus Rashford, while injuries to Mason Mount and Amad have further depleted Ruben Amorim’s squad.

This shortage of attacking options led to the promotion of 17-year-old striker Chido Obi last month, with the young striker making his debut against Everton in mid-February.

Obi has since made appearances off the bench against Spurs, Everton, and Fulham. He was also an unused substitute against Ipswich Town and Arsenal.

His performance in the FA Cup defeat to The Cottagers was particularly encouraging, as he showed the ability to create chances and hold his own against defenders.

The exciting youngster is not available for United in their Europa League clash against Real Sociedad as he was not included in the updated squad list for the competition.

Obi receives warning from Denmark U21s boss

Obi’s emergence at Old Trafford has also earned him a promotion with his national team Denmark, where he has been named in the Under-21s squad for upcoming fixtures against Poland and Italy.

The teenager is eligible to play internationally for Denmark, England and Nigeria. He has played 23 times for the Danes at Under-17s and 18s level – scoring 14 goals in those games.

Despite his promotion to the squad, Denmark’s U21s manager Steffen Højer has sent a clear warning about Obi and attempted to ease expectations on the United youngster.

“It’s actually too early, I would say,” Højer told Bold.dk when asked about Obi being called up to the squad. “He’s a very young man who we must integrate calmly.

“Now I hope it’s not all about him. First of all, he’s a very young man who I would like us to bring into the team with some calm.

“Secondly, he is extremely inexperienced at senior level compared to the other players we have in the team. He has played very little senior football.”

Expectations certainly need to be eased on Obi, who already has over 400,000 followers on Instagram, and it seems like Denmark are following in United’s footsteps.

Amorim has praised the teenager while also playing down suggestions that he is a must-starter in United’s difficult scoring situation.

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Obi could end up being a key player for the United first-team, but with the current pressure around him, it doesn’t seem like a bad thing for managers for both club and country to try and limit the pressure on his young shoulders.

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