Chido Obi starred in the FA Youth Cup as Manchester United’s Under-18s march towards potential silverware.
Manchester United U18s dominated Chelsea on Wednesday evening with Chido Obi scoring a hat-trick in a comfortable 5-1 win.
The Blues are the second most successful club behind United when it comes to winning the FA Youth Cup, but they had no answer for United’s star-studded academy side which is arguably the best in the country.
Chido Obi celebrated his hat-trick on social media after the full-time whistle, and the 17-year-old will know he is on the very brink of a first-team breakthrough.
Especially as both first-team strikers, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, are struggling for goals. Obi simply cannot stop finding the net, but Ruben Amorim needs much more than just goals from his forwards.
Chido Obi of Manchester United during The FA Youth Cup 4th round match between Manchester United and Preston North End at Leigh Sports Village on J...
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Chido Obi also working hard defensively for Man United
Despite his poor form in front of goal, Amorim defended Hojlund recently by explaining that his side are not creating enough chances. Interestingly, Amorim praised the work Hojlund does off the ball.
That is an area where Chido Obi will have to get right if he made the step up to the first team, but it seems that won’t be a problem.
As reported by Manchester Evening News, United’s Under-18s coach Adam Lawrence was frequently heard shouting instructions to Obi during the 5-1 win over Chelsea.
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Aside from the praise for his goals, it was noted that Lawrence urged Obi to tighten up defensively with a five-word command – “Nothing past, Chido, nothing past.”
Defending from the front and pressing the opponent’s defence is a key part of Amorim’s style of play, and it seems Obi executed his defensive work just as well as his attacking play.
Obi was described as “selfless” in his performance despite his hat-trick, with the young forward signed from Arsenal dominating his opponent centre-backs physically. It won’t be long until he is put to the test in senior football.
When will Chido Obi make his senior Man United debut?
Just last week, Amorim praised Obi’s development in the academy, saying: “He’s improving, he’s playing in the youth teams, and we have also other players that can play in that position.”
Amorim explained that he wants to build the confidence of Hojlund and Zirkzee, but after experimenting with Kobbie Mainoo as a striker against Crystal Palace, he may soon look for alternative options.
Obi is developing into Amorim’s dream striker, and it seems the Red Devils are already planning the youngster’s debut.
Reports suggest Chido Obi could make his debut before the end of the season. He is then expected to join up with the first-team for the pre-season tour in the summer, where Amorim will have a good chance to assess him for the 2025/26 campaign.
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Obi is not set to turn 18 years old until November, but there is an expectation that he will be in and around the first team much more next season.
When he was signed from Arsenal, United guaranteed a pathway to the first team and they plan to honour that promise sooner rather than later.