Manchester United desperately need a goalscorer, and one is developing in the club’s academy.
One year ago Manchester United made an audacious move to snap up Arsenal’s best young striker, luring Chido Obi to Carrington.
Once at United, Chido Obi reached a milestone to become the highest under-18s scorer in Premier League history, and largely bypassed under-21 football to progress to the first team.
Ruben Amorim mixed Chido Obi into the first team in the final weeks of the season. While he looked lively, he is still awaiting his first senior goal.
Obi struck twice in the club’s postseason friendly win over Hong Kong, offering positive signs for the future.
Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Manchester United via Getty Images
Chido Obi pushing on
Chido Obi scored two excellent goals in the 3-1 win over Hong Kong, showing his outstanding finishing ability.
His first goal was a rifled low effort from the edge of the box, and his second goal was a tricky header across goal into the bottom corner.
The 17-year-old is a promising prospect who will get more first team opportunities next season, and is doing everything in his power to prepare.
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Speaking after his brace in Hong Kong, he told United media: “I have been waiting a long time for this moment.
“Every time I get the opportunity I stay out with the finishing coach to do extra.”
This is an excellent attitude from a young player, and could take him a long way. It will endear him to Manchester United’s coaching staff as well as fans.
Chido Obi was only able to play his first United academy game in October after red tape delayed the move, and so this has been a whirlwind season for him.
He will now get a small break to refresh before returning to pre-season to try and show what he is capable of, to try to catch Ruben Amorim’s eye.
Chido Obi decision ahead
Chido Obi was one of the winners of the postseason tour and has positioned himself to get a shot in pre-season.
After that, it gets tricky. Manchester United are currently looking to add a striker to the team and could sell Rasmus Hojlund.
But how many strikers the club add, could have an impact on Chido Obi. Creating a pathway for his success is a delicate situation.
United cannot put all the pressure on the 17-year-old and make him the club’s first choice striker next season, this would be too much too early.
Having no European football limits the chance to rotate the team and decreases the amount of minutes the youngster could get.
At the same time Obi is probably too valuable to Manchester United to send out on loan, so there has to be a delicate balancing act.
United must leave the door open enough for Obi to get chances from the bench and be occasionally rotated in, while also having enough attacking options, in case he is just not ready to step up.
The extra work he is doing in training can help his case along, and United need to keep the door open for him to make a leap.