Man United striker Chido Obi could start against former club Arsenal on Sunday afternoon (4.30pm) as Ruben Amorim attempts to keep his squad fresh.
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Manchester United striker Chido Obi.
Manchester United striker Chido Obi. (Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that his club is willing to give youth a chance ahead of his reunion with Manchester United striker Chido Obi on Sunday afternoon.
Obi left the Gunners in the summer as he looked for a new opportunity with a better pathway from the Academy to the first-team. With a long track record both historically and presently of bringing youngsters through the ranks and into the senior squad, the 17-year-old decided to join the Reds in October.
Since then, he has scored 12 goals in nine appearances for the youth team line-up meaning his ascension from the Academy to the first-team has been fast tracked. On Thursday night, Obi was ineligible to feature after not being registered in the Europa League squad, but he is available again in the Premier League and could feature according to Ruben Amorim.
"Everybody can start [against Arsenal]," the United head coach said. "If they are training tomorrow, if they played today, they can be ready and Chido is on the list so he can play."
In his pre-match press conference, Arteta was quizzed about Obi's decision to move to Old Trafford and whether that was a sign that United can offer more than Arsenal to Academy talents. Quick to dismiss these claims, Arteta said: "Yeah I wasn't too involved in that decision [for Obi to leave].
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured speaking to the media.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured speaking to the media.
"When a player decides the best pathway is to leave the club there's not much you can do. I don't know what the perception is out there, and the reality is very different.
"I guarantee you if there is a player there that can impact and play with us, they will." Amorim also admitted in his press conference that United would be looking to "survive" on Sunday afternoon with their options at a minimum.
The Reds looked tired on Thursday evening as they held on to a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad in the Europa League. The same selection of players - plus Obi - will be available for Amorim to choose from this weekend.