The senior team has consistently given frustration to Ruben Amorim even in wins this season, and his key demand has now been answered by Man Utd’s 17-year-old wonderkid.
After the high of the 2-1 win over Chelsea on the weekend, the theme of marquee games for Man Utd didn’t stop.
The U21s, who have started the league with a 100% winning record, were away at Liverpool for their toughest fixture yet.
United’s youngsters won the game 2-1 to keep their flawless winning record in a big win where they had to come back from a goal down. Ruben Amorim will be delighted with one player in particular.
Ruben Amorim reminded of Chido Obi’s talents
With one game every week and the need for Benjamin Sesko to get some minutes, Chido Obi has had to take a step back from his senior team duties so far this season.
He has taken this time to hone his game further with the U21s, where the physical advantage he enjoyed isn’t as pronounced.
Obi has garnered rave reviews for his developing all-around game, and that was visible again in the U21s’ 2-1 win against Liverpool.
After trailing by a goal in a scrappy game, Obi was on the periphery of the proceedings. Players like Diego Leon were struggling to make their mark, while Shea Lacey faced a wall of defenders every time he got on the ball.
However, like all world-class players, one moment was all he needed to make his mark. After some nice work between Shea Lacey and Tyler Fletcher, Obi found himself with the ball but in an extremely narrow angle.
Not to be deterred, he calmly finished past the Liverpool goalkeeper to draw United level and set them on their way to a comeback.
Throughout the game, he managed to make something out of nothing by stealing a yard or tussling with the defenders to bring his teammates into the game.
He will score more goals in other games, but, in terms of his holistic development into a potentially top-class striker, this game was right up there.
Obi answered Amorim’s major demand
Amorim has stressed repeatedly this season that the team plays well between both boxes, but let themselves down when it matters.
Obi’s clinical finishing when presented with half a chance in the box is exactly what Amorim has been demanding from his senior players.
Never mind half a chance, the senior team miss a boatload of clear-cut chances pretty much every game.
Obi showed in fleeting cameos last season that his intelligence and movement are already good enough for senior football, and if he’s given service, he will deliver.
If Amorim manages to get the striker involved in the proceedings – because Sesko is struggling as well – then Obi will be a fine backup option for the Slovenian.
He is far more developed already than the player who made his United debut in a dysfunctional mess last season.
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