Chido Obi has made a real impression for Manchester United so far this season. After scoring consistently in the youth team, the youngster has been rewarded with first-team experience by manager Ruben Amoirm, where he has impressed.
Chido-Martin-Obi
He has played four times so far, featuring for 78 minutes, including a 52-minute cameo against Fulham in the FA Cup. During the clash against the Cottagers, United legend Wayne Rooney said he has "been really impressed" with how Obi played.
For Arsenal fans, it must sting to see Obi performing so well in United’s first team. Most recently, the Gunners lost talented centre-back Ayden Heaven to Old Trafford, too, although he has just picked up an injury after a string of good performances.
Chido Obi goal record at youth level
The latest on Ayden Heaven’s injury
What a shame it was for Heaven that he picked up an injury. He had to be stretchered off with a leg issue around 50 minutes into United’s most recent game against Leicester City, after yet another fantastic start to the game.
Ayden-Heaven
At this stage, there is no diagnosis, nor is there a return time specified for the youngster.
However, he took to Instagram to explain he is "doing well and recovering fast", and Manchester Evening News journalist Steven Railston stated United are ‘continuing to assess’ his issue.
Heaven
It certainly comes at a bad time for the defender, who has now played four times for the Red Devils.
He impressed on his debut against Fulham in extra-time, before making a superb start to life in the Premier League against the Gunners. His first start came against Real Sociedad in the Europa League, and he also played from the off against the Foxes.
Talents like Heaven and Obi do not come around often, but United have a habit of making them prominent players in the first team.
Incredibly, the Red Devils may have an even more talented youngster in the academy, who is just waiting to break into the senior set-up under Amorim.
In the pipeline
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
Man United's next-best talent after Heaven & Obi
Over the years, United have boasted several exciting academy talents in their first team. Most recently, of course, the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have become prominent senior stars.
When it comes to Carrington graduates, next up for the Red Devils could be attacker Shea Lacey. Although he has struggled with injury at times over the past few seasons, he is a talented player, described as “unstoppable” by United academy-dedicated page Academy Scoop.
The 17-year-old, who was born in Liverpool, has sadly managed just eight appearances this season, after suffering from injury for much of the campaign. In that time, he has grabbed one assist, coming against FK Zalgiris in the UEFA Youth League.
That has not been Lacey’s only success in that competition. The teenager also grabbed an assist against Galatasaray last season. He impressed in both of those games and, as per Sofascore, created two chances against the Lithuanian side and one against the Turkish giants.
Lacey in UEFA Youth League
Stat
Touches
Pass accuracy
Dribbles completed
Duels won
Key passes
Stats from Sofascore
As for his exploits in domestic football for United’s U18s, the winger has once again impressed. He has five goals and five assists in 27 games in the U18 Premier League, including two goals and one assist in a 5-2 win over Newcastle United last term.
There is no doubting Lacey’s talent. The England U17 international is like a magnet with the ball at his feet, excelling at close control, and is someone who can create chances out of nowhere, an excellent trait for all attackers. So exciting is his potential that many have pointed out his similarities to PFA Premier League Player of the Year for 2023/24, Phil Foden.
If he can put his injury issues behind him, Lacey is more than talented enough to break through into United's first team. He could become an important player for Amorim in the years to come and help form part of a dynasty alongside the likes of Obi and Heaven.
rasmus hojlund Related
Huge Hojlund upgrade: Man Utd chasing 'one of the best attackers in Europe'
Man Utd are looking to strengthen up front