Manchester United are on track to have a fantastic summer transfer window, but some questions are being raised as a result of the arrivals.
The business completed by Manchester United over the past few months is undeniably excellent, at least on paper.
For United’s lack of goals during the 2024/25 season, now Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha arrive as leading Premier League players, who will be the envy of the division having scored 20 and 15 respectively last season.
This is an instant upgrade for Ruben Amorim, but it gets better. After spending £127.5m on the two number 10s, now United have agreed a deal to sign Benjamin Sesko, who arrives to claim the mantle of first choice number nine.
Sesko will be expected to be a leader for United up front, and lead the line with class which has been lacking for years at the club, as he is expected to arrive in Manchester imminetly to complete his move.
Signing Sesko however will make several players’ position in the squad uncertain.
Chido Obi running in white Manchester United kit.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manchester United signing Benjamin Sesko raises questions over Chido Obi for 2025/26
The arrival of Sesko leaves Rasmus Hojlund’s future very unclear, with the Dane likely to be second choice at best immediately once the Slovenian is ready to play.
However, with Hojlund stating his desire to stay at United, it could be that he becomes the de facto number two, while Joshua Zirkzee will also be pushing for minutes.
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If this is the case, three senior strikers would be ahead of youngster Chido Obi in the pecking order which makes the chances of minutes slim. The 17-year-old is an elite prospect, however pre-season has shown that Amorim doesn’t quite think he is ready.
Obi was one of the losers from United’s pre-season as he got just 43 minutes in the USA, which will decrease even further with Sesko added to the ranks.
So this leaves United with the question of what to do with the wonderkid, one year on from Obi joining the Red Devils after leaving Arsenal. At 17, it isn’t the end of the world if he’s not a first team regular at Old Trafford, but Obi has already shown that he’s above academy football, as he looked unstoppable for the youth teams.
Due to his goals for the academy, Amorim handed Obi his debut in February, and he was a first team member for the remainder of the campaign. However, with minutes now likely to be limited, Ineos may have to take action this summer.
Chido Obi might need to be sent on a loan by Manchester United
If Obi isn’t going to get the cameo appearances in senior football that he needs over the coming season, then United may be better served making plans to send the Dane on a loan where he can truly develop.
Loan manager Jonny Evans has already made a handful of solid deals for youngsters on loan, and Obi could be on the agenda later this month.
With his quality clear, United could realistically send Obi to a high ranking League One side where he will get to play in an attacking team, in the Championship or alternatively abroad in Europe which would be excellent for his development.
Obi is still very raw, and despite positive signs for the first team, he needs to develop and a loan is the best way he can do that, as he turns 18 during the 2025/26 season.
After breaking into the first team, in which Obi starred during the post season tour, scoring twice, it would be terrible if he takes a step back and is put back in the academy. So if Hojlund is staying, Obi needs a loan.