by At a time when Manchester United have spent almost £150 million, it’s not usual for a 16-year-old to grab many headlines, but then again, Chido Obi-Martin is no ordinary 16-year-old either.
Chido Obi-Martin’s move to Manchester United, along with Leny Yoro, was the best proof that Ineos’ recruitment strategy is paying off.
Yoro’s move showed United’s ambition to beat the best for the best, while Obi-Martin was a statement that sent shockwaves through England’s youth circles.
Obi-Martin’s goalscoring record is borderline crazy at U18 level and recently fans went crazy when they saw Obi-Martin training at Carrington.
This is clearly a move with an eye on the future, but given the player’s talent, he could also contribute in the present. United in Focus spoke to TBR Football insider Graeme Bailey to find out more about Man Utd’s plans for Chido Obi-Martin.
Man Utd’s plans for Chido Obi-Martin
Since joining from Arsenal this season, Obi-Martin is yet to appear for any team, either senior or youth.
This is understandable as he was training alone without games while the club waited for the Premier League to confirm his move.
However, given Obi-Martin’s world-class potential, this is unlikely to remain the case in the long term and his first appearances for the U18s can be expected soon.
As far as the first team is concerned, it is a good time to play as a striker in United’s youth team, as the senior team is rather weak at the top.
Graeme Bailey reveals United are very happy with Obi-Martin settling in at the club and believes they have landed a ‘gem’. The chances that he will be on the bench with the first team before the end of the season are also quite high.
He said: “I’m told they’re very happy with how he’s settling in – they’re desperate not to get ahead of themselves. At this stage he is unlikely to be forced into the first team this season – they will have to see how he does over the winter.
“Being only 16 years old, they really believe they have landed a gem. I’m told it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him on the bench before the end of the season, but barring injuries they don’t plan on overusing him.”
Assessment of Obi-Martin’s path
Initial claims about Obi-Martin’s possible path to the first team were brushed aside as the Premier League needed time to ratify the deal.
Since then, the Danish striker has effectively made up for lost time, but now that he’s here, expect him to quickly make a name for himself.
| season | Competition | games | Goals | Supports | minutes |
| 23/24 | U18 Premier League | 18 | 32 | 3 | 1.434′ |
It will still be a challenge for him as United are just as strong in the forward department at youth level as they are at senior level.
Gabriele Biancheri is scoring like a man possessed, Joe Hugill has started to impress on loan, new signing Samuel Lusale is highly rated, while Bendito Mantato has taken to U18 football like a duck to water.
It will be an incredible achievement to get through this group and get into the first team in a short space of time because, for all his goalscoring exploits at Arsenal, a change of environment can still make a difference.
However, if he can replicate this scoring form at United, he is by far the best option to move up quickly, so he will continue to be challenged.
Erik ten Hag can solve this abundance problem at first team level!
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