Manchester United have a group of youngsters who have the potential to play key roles for the next decade at the club.
This season has not been ideal for the club on the pitch, but one positive is the continued inclusion of academy graduates under Ruben Amorim.
Ineos have invested in the Manchester United academy, signing several elite talents in the past year, adding to an already strong group. Several United wonderkids are ready for senior football, with some already making the step.
Amorim has handed out debuts to youngsters, with Chido Obi having made himself a regular fixture, along with Ayden Heaven and also Harry Amass – this trend appears to be growing and should only continue.
Obi has been so impressive with his performances for United so far and now he has been named in the NXGN rankings for 2025.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Chido Obi named in 2025 NXGN rankings
Every year, GOAL ranks the 50 best talents in world football born after January 1st 2006 in a list named NXGN. 2025 is no different, and Obi has made the list as the only United player.
Quite shockingly Obi has only managed to barely make the list, being named 50th in the rankings – with his 15 academy goals for United not stacking up against players who are key senior stars already.
The list explains that Obi is a big hope for United right now, with his ability and potential a clear standout right now, in a team with struggling strikers over the past decade.
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However, letting Obi down compared with others on the list is that he has only just begun to make cameos for United at a senior level, while others on the list have been playing first-team football for years.
In comparison, Lamine Yamal topped the list which shows that Obi has a long way to go until he makes it. Obi’s minutes will likely increase as the season winds down, with little to play for in the Premier League.
READ: Man Utd under-18s top scorers and assists in 2024/25, all results
Manchester United targets who made the NXGN list
Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants United to sign wonderkids, the stars of tomorrow. With this in mind, it is interesting to see a handful of United targets named in the 50 players on the NXGN list. Here is where they ranked.
36th Charalampos Kostoulas
United have been linked with signing Charalampos Kostoulas from Olympiacos, a record-setting Greek talent, likened to Edinson Cavani.
29th Chris Rigg
Chris Rigg appears to be one of United’s top targets heading into the summer of 2025, with his season for Sunderland as a key fixture impressive.
23rd Tyler Dibling
After the collapse of a deal to sign Geovany Quenda, United are continuing to track Tyler Dibling ahead of a possible summer move.
19th Franco Mastantuono
United remain in the race to sign Franco Mastantuono this summer, with River Plate expecting to receive his release clause of £37m.
15th Rodrigo Mora
United have been briefly linked with Rodrigo Mora, with the record-breaking Porto gem a player Amorim would love.
14th Sverre Nypan
Sverre Nypan is a long-term for United and his departure from Rosenborg this summer appears imminent, Ineos must be in the race.