Phil Jones impressed by Manchester United youngster Chido Obi, describes goalscoring prospect as ‘an animal’

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Manchester United have changed its approach to the transfer window over the past year.

More emphasis has been put on identifying the best young players since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos bought their minority share in the club.

This shows that Ratcliffe and his team view this as a long-term project but they will still be far from satisfied with Manchester United’s performance on the pitch this season.

After a disappointing start to the season led to Erik ten Hag’s sacking, Ruben Amorim arrived from Sporting CP but has been unable to deliver a new manager’s bounce in terms of results.

After United’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, the Reds are sat 15th in the Premier League table, with Champions League football seemingly out of reach unless Amorim can take the team all the way in the Europa League.

Phil Jones hails United teen sensation Chido Obi

One of the summer recruits who perfectly fits Ineo’s profile is Chido Obi, who joined after leaving Arsenal’s academy before being introduced to United’s strong U18s side.

Obi recently scored a hat-trick against Chelsea, which booked the U18s into the FA Youth Cup quarter-final, promising a match-up with his former side Arsenal.

The 17-year-old striker made his United first-team debut under Ruben Amorim on Sunday. Sadly, United were defeated by Tottenham Hotspur to lower their Premier League position in the bottom half of the table.

Former United defender Phil Jones has raved about Obi after working closely with the striker this season, after joining United’s academy coaching staff in 2023/24.

Jones appeared on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast earlier this season and he provided an exciting verdict on Obi.

“Working in and around the academy and helping those young players develop, United have some really good and talented young players coming through,” Jones said.

“The squad had a lot of injuries against Tottenham and the bench was full of kids, but there were some talented players on that bench. People might not know a lot about them now, but they certainly will in the next few years. I think if you look at Kobbie Mainoo, top player…

“You look at Chido (Obi), who we’ve just signed from Arsenal, who’s an animal, you look at Amad, who had a couple of really good loans, and I remember watching him winning it against Liverpool in extra time last season and I had said at that time he’d play a huge part in the next season.

“I played with Amad and you could see his quality was really good and really strong. As I said there’s a great crop of young players ready to be given the chance and integrated into the team.”

Chido Obi stats for United’s academy

The excitement that surroundings Obi doesn’t stop with his coaches like Jones.

United fans have every reason to think Obi is the real deal after his performances in the youth teams since his summer move up north.

Obi has 7 goals in 3 FA Youth Cup appearances, matching Alejandro Garnacho’s tally in the competition before he became an important member of the first-team.

It may be too soon to call upon Obi in the first-team and that’s why Amorim will be careful not to throw him into the deep end too soon, unless it’s completely necessary.

Obi has a chance to break into the team if his development continues at this season. It won’t be long before Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are looking over their shoulders.