Manchester United youngster Chido Obi has been generating a lot of excitement at academy level, with good reason.
When Chido Obi signed for Manchester United in the summer he arrived with a big reputation, after scoring 32 goals for Arsenal’s academy in 2023/24.
Premier League rules delayed his debut until October, prompting some concern over how the months out of action might cause him to be a little rusty at first.
Those concerns were clearly not required, with Obi netting a debut hat-trick, and going on to score on a regular basis. If he is rusty right now, then Obi is an even scarier prospect than anybody thought.
Chido Obi nets double in FA Youth Cup win
Chido Obi made his FA Youth Cup debut for Manchester United in the tie with Coventry City on December 18, and had an immediate impact.
United started both Gabriele Biancheri and Chido Obi, and the strike partnership effectively won the tie after just 14 minutes, with United taking a three-goal lead.
The scoreline finished 5-0, with Chido Obi scoring two goals, including an impressive free-kick. Biancheri netted a hat-trick.
Obi scored his second half free-kick low, striking a low shot underneath the wall that jumped, cleverly arrowing the ball into the bottom corner.
His goal drew high praise from MUTV co-commentator Wes Brown, who compared his goal to one scored by one of greatest players of his era.
Brown commented: “Cheeky Ronaldinho there, he’s seen that no one is lying down and just blasted it low, and its gone in the back of the net.”
While Obi’s goal was impressive, and he scored a one v one in the first half, he missed an opportunity to bag a hat-trick, before he was substituted in the 71st minute.
Brown added: “Chido Obi should have had more goals tonight.”
Manchester United looking to extend Youth Cup record
Manchester United have won the FA Youth Cup 11 times, more than any club in history. The last time came in 2022, with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo part of the team. Both players went on to win the FA Cup for the first team in 2024.
Last season United’s under-18s won three trophies, but came unstuck in the FA Youth Cup on a rainy night in Swindon, with the home side pulling off an upset win.
United’s young players will be determined not to make the same error this time around, and have an incredible good record at 18s level this season.
United’s under-18s have won every single league game this season, with Chido Obi making the dominant team even stronger.
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