One of the most intriguing young players in Manchester United’s academy at the moment is 17-year-old Chido Obi.
The former Arsenal player has a superb record at academy level. He scored 32 goals in 21 official games for Arsenal's U18s and once bagged ten goals in a 14-3 win over Liverpool U16s. It's safe to say he knows where the net is.
The Denmark U20s striker featured eight times for the Red Devils at senior level last term, and is a graduate of their academy, having made his first-team debut for the club. Although he’s yet to score, he has certainly impressed in his few short cameos.
Chido-Obi-Man-United
In the long run, perhaps he could make the perfect replacement for Rasmus Hojlund, who is now thriving at Napoli on loan.
Hojlund's 2025/26 season in numbers
Since leaving United on loan in the summer, Hojlund has enjoyed great success for his new club Napoli and his international side, Denmark. In his last ten appearances for both club and country, he’s scored and assisted nine times.
Hojlund
That includes a fantastic run of form in the past four games.
Hojlund, who wears the number 19 in Naples, has found the back of the net on six occasions in that time, chipping in with one assist, too. That record stretches across the ongoing international break too.
Hojlund Napoli stats
Although he showed flashes of his best form in that famous Red shirt, the 22-year-old struggled for consistency.
He only managed to bag 26 times in 95 games, yet strikes like this one against Viktoria Plzen showed the type of quality he possesses.
The Dane's current form is certainly a hot streak, who never really managed to find his feet at Old Trafford. There is a chance he could join Napoli permanently next summer, with the Scudetto winners having a buy option in the deal.
rasmus-hojlund-napoli
If that is the case, and he departs Old Trafford, United might already have his replacement brewing and it’s not Obi or the in-form Benjamin Sesko.
Man United's in-house Hojlund replacement
At the moment, all signs point to the fact that Hojlund will leave the club next summer, given that he has a buy clause and is playing so well.
Of course, in the long run, Obi could be the man to replace him, although there is an even bigger talent than the Dane.
Chido-Martin-Obi
Without doubt, one of the most exciting talents in English football at the moment is JJ Gabriel. At just 15 years of age, he is comfortably one of the best players in the U18s Premier League, against players three or four years his senior.
Academy Scoop, who covers the Red Devils youth sides over on X, described Gabriel as the “talisman” of Darren Fletcher’s side, while as the MEN outline, some academy followers believe he is "the best talent United's academy has ever seen."
That is huge praise, especially when you factor in the fact that he is playing three age groups up.
The numbers behind Gabriel’s form this season show just how much of a talent he is. He’s found the back of the net seven times in six appearances, with all of those goals coming from centre-forward.
He can also operate on the left wing, but Fletcher moved him centrally, and he’s since been thriving.
Gabriel run of form in U18s PL
Opponent
Everton (a)
Middlesbrough (h)
Derby (a)
Burnley (h)
Wolves (a)
Man City (h)
Stats from Transfermarkt
It is easy to see why he was hailed as "one of the most exciting talents in the world" by the Manchester Evening News' Steven Railston. He is a technically superb attacker, with his strike against Manchester City at the end of September showing how quickly he can change direction, before firing home a well-struck effort.
It is certainly interesting to see Gabriel operate as a striker for the Red Devils’ academy sides. He clearly has bags of technical quality, and playing in this advanced role has shown that he has an eye for goal, too.
It will be fascinating to see when Gabriel makes his debut for the first team, with reports suggesting he will train with Amorim's side this term.
He’s already shown great ability in the academy, and Amorim may well decide to unleash him this season, as Mikel Arteta did with Max Dowman.
He would certainly be an upgrade on Hojlund in the long run if he adapts to senior football as quickly as he did to the U18s.