Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes Manchester United have a youngster on their books who has all the attributes to be the Red Devil's next Wayne Rooney
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Chido Obi-Martin of Manchester United gestures during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on March 2, 2025 in Manchester, England
Chido Obi-Martin has been turning heads in the Manchester United youth ranks
(Image: Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images.)
Manchester United youngster Chido Obi Martin has been likened to club legend Wayne Rooney by former Premier League title winner Chris Sutton.
Sutton also stated that the 17-year-old is like a "menace" after being left impressed by the Danish star. The former Arsenal youth product has been making waves in the United academy since joining the club last year.
Chido Obi has also made two cameos in the Premier League so far since moving to United, coming in the club's 1-0 loss away to Tottenham Hotspur and their 2-2 draw at Goodison Park with Everton. However, it was his performance in the Red Devil's FA Cup exit to Fulham earlier this month that caught the eye of ex-Blackburn striker Sutton.
Writing in his column for MailOnline, Sutton claimed that while there is a raw edge to the starlet, he has been impressed by how "extremely physical" he looks on the ball. "Injuries arrive and you get the chance alongside players you had been watching on the television like Obi is experiencing now," Sutton said. "Then you’re going up against them and thinking “blimey, I can cope” and you get confidence from that.
Chido Obi challenges for the ball against Fulham
Chido Obi-Martin impressed in the FA Cup loss to Fulham
"I think about Wayne Rooney’s first game for Everton against Arsenal when he came on and the one noticeable thing was how strong and robust and powerful he was. It was eye-opening. "Obi isn’t Rooney right now, of course, but you have to cope and opposing defenders often look at young players coming in thinking they can physically dominate them.
"But Obi showed me enough of a menace in his cameos, particularly against Fulham, for people to sit up and take notice. If defenders come up against him now they certainly won’t take him for granted."
While Sutton expressed his excitement, he did offer a word of warning to United fans not to get too carried away with the young prospect, adding: "The one thing for me at 17 was that I was still developing physically but anyone who can muscle [Fulham centre-back] Calvin Bassey off the ball as he did, you take your hat off too.
Chido Obi celebrates scoring for Manchester United's U18s in the FA Youth Cup
Chido Obi celebrates scoring for Manchester United's U18s in the FA Youth Cup
"Physically he does look like he is there and then he also looks explosive. He looks fearless to me. That’s what you get from young players because he hasn’t been part of this struggling team.
"I think Manchester United fans are looking for someone or something to cling on to right now and while we need to not go over the top given he is finding his feet, he is incredibly exciting as a prospect."
Obi Martin made the switch from the Gunners to United in October 2024 after wowing at Arsenal's academy with several standout displays. Yet he believed United offered the better chance of first-team football, thus rejecting the north London club for a fresh start in Manchester. He currently has 37 goals and four assists in 26 U-18 Premier League games for United.