Chido Obi remains one of Man Utd’s most exciting prospects, but there’s a developing problem with him, and it’s because he’s been a model professional.
The first team has looked distant for Chido Obi after a breakthrough campaign last year, and it’s part of a concerted effort to protect him from the limelight.
Obi’s overall game has come on leaps and bounds away from the glare of the first team, and the same is clear to see in his performances for the U21s and the U18s.
However, equally as clear to see is a growing problem with him, and Man Utd’s coaches need to pay attention to it.
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Man Utd’s Chido Obi problem
Obi’s goals haven’t dried up, and he scored again in Man Utd U21s’ 3-2 victory in Premier League 2 playoffs against Sunderland.
It was a game marked by goals from United’s usual suspects – Obi, Shea Lacey, and Jack Fletcher.
The best finish was Obi’s, as he ran the channel and beat the goalkeeper from a wide angle by taking the shot a second earlier than expected.
It was a glimpse of how deadly a finisher he can be, but unfortunately, that has been visible only in glimpses this season.
Obi’s overall game has improved massively, as he has become capable of becoming a nuisance for defenders even when he isn’t scoring.
However, it has come at the cost of his deadly finishing in front of goal, as he is routinely missing a bucketload of chances each game.
The Obi who arrived from Arsenal didn’t do much else if he didn’t score. Now, he’s doing everything, but his finishing has taken a step back.
That’s not what you want from a striker. This Obi problem is partly down to United’s coaching.
Obi’s problem is down to Man Utd’s approach with him
When he was scoring for fun in the academy, Obi was repeatedly asked to add more to his game, which he has done.
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He’s holding up the ball well, combining with his teammates, pressing from the front, and adding assists to his game, but somewhere during this approach, the hitman in him has gone missing.
Obi used to be a clinical finisher, but he’s a frustrating one now. He missed multiple clear-cut chances against Sunderland U21s, and it followed a pattern.
United U18s’ defeat in the Premier League Cup final was also down to Obi missing a lot of chances.
Even though his general game has improved, as the coaches demanded, it’s impossible to shake off the feeling that more attention was paid to what he couldn’t do, instead of nurturing what he could.
The result is a player who is stuck between two types of playing styles, excelling at neither.
United need to take some responsibility for it and pivot. It’s still not too late.
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