Ruben Amorim may look to use exciting youngster Chido Obi-Martin in his Manchester United first-team squad this season.
The Reds had a quiet Janaury transfer window with Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven the only new additions to Amoirm's team for now. Diego Leon will join in due course but the 17-year-old won't be at the club until at least his 18th birthday due to UK regulations put in place after Brexit.
One position which many expected United to strengthen was up-front with current strikers Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund left out of United's 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday. The pair have netted just 11 goals between them this season, and with Marcus Rashford leaving on loan, a new No.9 looked to be an essential addition.
READ MORE: Paul Pogba Man United transfer reunion takes another twist as Mason Greenwood squad decision made
READ MORE: Man United can finally complete transfer mission for player Erik ten Hag wanted as £54m door opens
That leaves the possibility of Obi-Martin potentially being involved in the first-team picture this season. Below is what Amorim has said about the young star as well as the views of those who know him best...
Amorim hint
Amorim has not ruled out the possibility of integrating Obi-Martin into his team. The Danish forward has been in fine form for United's U18 side this season, with nine goals so far.
"He’s doing his job," Amorim said when asked about the teenager. "He’s improving, he’s playing in the youth teams, and also we have other players who can play that position.
"Rasmus and Josh are there. We bought these two players, we need to improve them, and sometimes the confidence can change a player. We will see in the end of the season.
"But until then we have two strikers who can score goals, they’ve proved in the past, so let’s see if we can improve as a team to help them to score goals."
Arsenal praise
Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, who managed the Gunners' under-18 team, was gushing with praise after the youngster netted four goals for his side against Crystal Palace in March 2024.
“I’m proud of the team because, for a striker to score four, he needs his teammates, his midfielders and defenders, but it’s the hardest thing in football and to do it four times as an under-16 in under-18s football takes some real personality,” he said.
“Not just that side of his game, his link-up play, the way he pressed and set the tempo for us, he’s developing nicely. There are still things to do and get better at but I’m happy with where he’s at at the moment.
“Of course, it helps when you have a goalscorer like Chido who is on fire at the moment, and everything he touches seems to go in. He’s worked so hard over the last couple of years, especially since we’ve had him at Sobha Realty Training Centre over the last six weeks, and he’s getting his rewards for that hard work.
“He’s been exceptional,” Wilshere added. “I’ve said it before but credit to everyone at the club and at Hale End for the work that they have done with him. He’s adapted so well, helped the team massively at times.”
Physical dominance
Denmark Under-17 manager Jesper Mikkelsen has explained just what makes Obi-Martin so good. “He is really dominant because of his physique, but I don’t think that is the only reason,” he said.
“He is big and strong, but he is also reasonably agile. He is good at sticking to the game, but he is actually also good at challenging and dribbling himself.
“So that makes him interesting now and in the long run because it is interesting to see how much this physique can carry him forward towards a breakthrough on the big stage. He has scored many goals for us and he has been a real handful for our opponents, but it is also important that he gets better at playing together with his team-mates.
“His greatest characteristic and challenge is that he really wants to score goals. He can sometimes play his own game.”
