The pre-season for 2025/26 is here, and so begins a new chapter, with players seeking a clear slate and the manager eager to put his mark on the team.
The pre-season is an exciting time, especially for the youngsters, who can get an extended run of minutes with the first team and try to earn a prominent role for competitive fixtures.
The likes of Jack Moorhouse, Shea Lacey, and Radek Vitek will be hoping to do so, but there’s one wonderkid who deserves a special role in 2025/26.
It can be argued that he has already done the hard part. Now the breakout begins.
Chido Obi with Bruno Fernandes in Manchester United Training Session
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Chido Obi’s special role in 2025/26
Many youngsters are now at the point Chido Obi was in the summer of 2024. It took time for his move from Arsenal to get clearance, so he was forced to train alone.
However, as soon as he was chucked into the U18s side, his potential became clear again, as he scored for fun at a level he had clearly grown above.
Despite joining as a 16-year-old prodigy, Obi was United’s senior striking option by the end of the season, scoring his first two goals for the senior team in the last game of the season (non-competitive).
While other youngsters will vie to achieve a first-team place this pre-season, Obi is already a first-team player. For him, this pre-season will be about proving to Ruben Amorim that he doesn’t need a loan.
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As United’s striker search flounders, Obi deserves a special role in 2025/26. He should deputise for Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, and most importantly, should not go on loan where he’s left to fight for scraps.
Obi has been working extra hard during the off-season to convince everyone at United of his ability to contribute straight away.
2025/26 could be his breakout season.
Obi’s development could mirror Man Utd’s fortunes
Obi was a breath of fresh air last season when Hojlund looked like he’d rather be anywhere other than a football pitch.
This season, after striking out on Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres being close to Arsenal, Obi’s role has suddenly become important.
It’s not ideal for a 17-year-old to have that level of responsibility, but, on the other hand, Hojlund and Zirkzee’s presence should shield him.
If he kicks on and establishes himself as a Premier League-level striker, it would mean United fighting for European spots, having three options at No. 9.
In many ways, United’s progress is tied to the size of the leap Obi takes in 2025/26, for better or for worse.
Nothing he has shown so far suggests that the leap will not come. It just needs to be helped along by United’s other players and Amorim’s attacking system.