Manchester United U18s take on Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup.
Manchester United were drawn against Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals after beating Chelsea 5-1 in the fifth round.
Adam Lawrence will hope his young side can go one step closer to winning the only trophy that escaped his U18s side that completed a memorable treble last season.
Manchester United will take on their southern opponents in a fixture with a big background story as the Reds continue to benefit from signing academy prospects from Arsenal, such as Ayden Heaven, who arrived during the January transfer window.
The FA Youth Cup is not only a huge competition, but it’s one United have a lot of history in as their involvement dates back to the 1950s when the Busby Babes were victorious in their first five attempts.
Having won the FA Youth Cup 11 times, United will be hoping to go all the way again this season, having not done so since 2022.
United beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 in their last FA Youth Cup final victory, with a side consisting of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Chido Obi misses chance Alejandro Garnacho FA Youth Cup record
In United’s 5-1 win over Chelsea in the previous round, former Arsenal starlet Chido Obi scored a hat-trick to take his tally in the competition to seven goals.
The 17-year-old matched Garnacho’s FA Youth Cup tally (7 goals) in just three matches, meaning he could smash his record against his former club tonight.
Arsenal host United in a 7pm kick off that promises to be an entertaining tie.
However, there were doubts over whether Chido Obi will feature due to his recent involvement with United’s first-team.
It has now been reported by the Daily Mail that Chido Obi will play no part against Arsenal as he has been held back from United’s squad travelling to London.
Chido Obi is now expected to feature in Ruben Amorim’s squad that takes on Fulham in the FA Cup on Sunday, after making his debut away to Tottenham and getting more minutes under his belt in United’s 2-2 draw to Everton.
There will be United fans hoping to see Chido Obi get a start because Rasmus Hojlund has gone 17 games without a goal.
Chido Obi FA Youth Cup story so far
United kicked off their FA Youth Cup campaign with a 5-1 win over Coventry City in the third round.
Chido Obi opened his account in the competition that night by scoring a brace, while Gabriele Biancheri netted a hat-trick.
The latest star to join United’s academy scored another two goals against Preston North End, before putting three past Chelsea in the fifth round.
In facing Chido Obi’s former club, United come up against a side that had a rocky route to the quarter-final. They are seven-time Youth Cup winners and the last time they reached the final was in 2023.
Lawrence will be aiming to qualify without Chido Obi’s presence up front.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
