“He wants to…” Manchester United U18s coach sends strong Chido Obi message to Rúben Amorim

Manchester United U18s head coach Adam Lawrence has spoken about the talent of Chido Obi in a strong message to Rúben Amorim amid first-team goalscoring struggles.

Manchester United are going through a very tough patch under Rúben Amorim amid his first three months as head coach of the club’s first-team.

While issues in defence and midfield remain, the most frustrating aspect of the side’s performances has been the lack of goals up front, with the club scoring just 30 goals in 20 games, bagging ten wins and eight losses in the process.

Rasmus Højlund has not netted in his last 14 appearances for Amorim, while Joshua Zirkzee’s equalising finish into an open net against Leicester City was his first in 12 games. However, he has only started four of these.

While many hoped United would bring in attacking reinforcements during the winter transfer window, the only incomings were Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven, while wingers Marcus Rashford and Antony left on loan.

Lawrence sings the praises of Obi

With United’s first team failing to score goals, their Academy sides are bursting with attacking talent. On Wednesday evening, the U18s completely dismantled Chelsea in a 5-1 win that saw 17-year-old Chido Obi score a brilliant hattrick.

Speaking to club media following the performance, U18s head coach had only positive words to say about the Danish striker, explaining that it was a fantastic evening for Obi and fellow goalscorer James Scanlon.

“It was a really good night for both of the goalscorers,” Lawrence said. “I thought the two of them had really good performances on the whole aside from the goals.

“Obviously Chido’s a natural goalscorer, he wants to score goals and get himself into those positions, but I was really pleased with him today just in terms of his link-up play — not just stretching and running in behind but recognising when to show into feet, how to use his body to shield the ball and when to bring others into play.”

It’s a clear message to Amorim

What Lawrence said about Obi will be music to the ears of United fans, as his clear strengths are exactly what United are missing right now.

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Although Amorim has previously stated that it’s too early for Obi to start playing for the first team, the Portuguese head coach has been keeping an eye on the 17-year-old for a while.

Højlund and Zirkee have both struggled with getting themselves into goalscoring positions and making sure they can play with the ball to their feet and link up with their teammates, and Lawrence’s words are a clear message to Amorim that Obi has the talent to do so.

While United are struggling for goals in the short term, it feels that if United can create a proper pathway for Obi to the first team, their long-term goalscoring prowess could be in safe hands.

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