Manchester United beat Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night to reach the quarter-finals.
It was another night to remember for Adam Lawrence as Manchester United U18s beat Chelsea 5-1 at Leigh Sports Village.
Lawrence and his U18s side completed a memorable treble triumph last season, with the FA Youth Cup being the only trophy to get away from their grips. This season, they are hoping for a different outcome in the competition.
It bodes well that United’s academy is showing signs that they could go one step further this season, on top of a second successive U18 Premier League crown, if they can bounce back from recent setbacks.
United were drawn against Arsenal in the quarter-finals, which will see the Reds take on unfamiliar opponents since the leagues are separated by north and south. The fixture comes with a bigger background story as United continue to sign players from Arsenal’s academy, such as Ayden Heaven.
Chido Obi-Martin of Manchester United celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 5-1 during the FA Youth Cup Fifth Round match between Manchester ...
Photo by Zohaib Alam – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Adam Lawrence hails Chido Obi
The headlines were grabbed by Chido Obi’s hat-trick and James Scanlon’s double as United beat Chelsea.
Lawrence was pleased with his goalscorers on the night for taking their chances, but he singled out Chido Obi for being a ‘natural goalscorer’, which is exactly what United’s first team needs at the moment.
Speaking to club media via ManUtd.com, Lawrence said: “It was a really good night for both of the goalscorers. I thought the two of them had really good performances on the whole aside from the goals.
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“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.”
Chido Obi matches Alejandro Garnacho’s FA Youth Cup record
United’s association with the FA Youth Cup dates back to the 1950s. A period that saw the Busby Babes victorious in their first five attempts.
With 11 triumphs in the competition, United are looking to add to that and Chido Obi’s goals are helping the side go all the way this term.
The 17-year-old has scored seven goals in three FA Youth Cup games since joining United in the summer.
Competition Goals Assists
Premier League 2 0 1
U18s Premier League 5 1
FA Youth Cup 7 0
Chido Obi stats at Manchester United this season
Alejandro Garnacho, who made seven appearances throughout two seasons, racked up a tally of seven goals.
That means Chido Obi has already matched Garnacho’s record in the FA Youth Cup.
You wouldn’t bet against him surpassing Garnacho’s impressive record against his former club in the quarter-finals.