Chido Obi was back with the U18s on Wednesday night as Manchester United lost the Premier League Cup final to Crystal Palace.
After another 120-minute battle with the Eagles, Manchester United were defeated on penalties with Godwill Kukonki missing the decisive spot kick.
United were incredibly wasteful in front of goal and should have wrapped up the victory in normal time, and even while down to 10-men in extra time.
Chido Obi’s night was hot and cold, as he had plenty of good, but also a lot of bad.
WHO was Man United’s man of the match in Premier League Cup final defeat?
A painful loss on penalties…
Chido Obi is becoming reliable creative outlet for Manchester United
Starting with the good of how Obi fared, there is no denying that his all-around game has improved tenfold over the course of this season.
Obi was tasked with growing as a striker, which is the reason behind playing more academy football, and he has achieved this.
In the FA Youth Cup semi-final, Obi assisted JJ Gabriel’s goal, and against Palace in the Premier League Cup final, he assisted Noah Ajayi with a smart pass, which showcases how his decision-making has improved.
On numerous occasions, Obi would receive the ball with his back to play, before turning and spraying a ball to the onrushing wingers, which is a massive quality he has added.
These even included some switches.
Meanwhile, another quality for Obi has become his work rate. This is a far cry from Travis Binnion despairing over Obi’s running, which was highlighted as a weakness by the former U21 boss.
So there was plenty of good for Obi, but all his improvements have seen his greatest strength take a back step.
Would you give Chido Obi another chance in the first-team?
He's improved a lot for Manchester United…
Obi’s finishing has become his biggest weakness
Last season, Obi was absolutely lethal in front of the goal, needing a sniff of goal to score at U21 and U18 levels, but in improving his all-around game, he has regressed in his finishing.
Obi frustratingly scuppered countless massive chances against Palace, after also missing several last week in the FA Youth Cup.
Whether this is the result of confidence or focusing on working elsewhere, leading to his finishing being neglected, it needs to be solved, as his wastefulness was a big factor in the failure to win the cup.
Goals are Obi’s bread and butter, and United need to figure out why he’s missing chances that he would previously have finished with ease.
Obi needs loan away from United
Another potential reason for his poor finishing is just a lack of motivation and concentration, which could have come as a result of being pulled back from his meteoric rise to the U18s.
Obi used to look levels above in U18 football, yet he now looks like he belongs at this level.
United are planning to send Obi on loan, and this could be the making of him.
Find Obi a loan where he will play every game, be valued, and play in an attacking team. This could soon see his scoring touch return.
His natural instinct for goals isn’t something that is lost.
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