Manchester United's 17-year-old star Chido Obi Martin has been compared to Red Devils and England legend Wayne Rooney by former Premier League title winner Chris Sutton
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
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Image: Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images.)
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Manchester United youngster Chido Obi Martin has been compared to club legend Wayne Rooney by former Premier League title winner Chris Sutton.
The 17-year-old Danish star, who joined the Red Devils last year from Arsenal's youth team, has been described as a "menace" by Sutton. The starlet has already made two appearances in the Premier League since his move to United, featuring in the club's 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and their 2-2 draw at Goodison Park against Everton this season.
However, it was his performance in United's FA Cup loss to Fulham earlier this month that caught the attention of ex-Blackburn striker Sutton. In his column for the Mail, Sutton noted the player's raw talent and physical prowess on the ball, reports the Manchester Evening News.
He said: "Injuries arrive and you get the chance alongside players you had been watching on the television like Obi is experiencing now.
Chido Obi challenges for the ball against Fulham
Chido Obi-Martin impressed in the FA Cup loss to Fulham
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Image:
Getty)
"Then you're going up against them and thinking 'blimey, I can cope' and you get confidence from that. 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 shared his excitement over the youngster, he also warned United supporters to keep a level head: "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 for Manchester United
Chido Obi has been a big hit for the United U-18's ( Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
"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."
Chido Obi moved from Arsenal to United in October 2024 after making waves in Arsenal's academy. He chose Old Trafford for what he deemed was better first-team opportunities. His record in United's U18 side currently stands impressive with 37 goals and four assists in just 26 appearances.
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