Chido Obi Misses Academy Match Due to Injury Recovery

Manchester United’s promising young striker, Chido Obi, did not participate in the Under-21 fixture against Anderlecht in the Premier League International Cup as he is currently recovering from a minor injury. Obi last featured for the U21 squad on November 4, 2023, during a match against Notts County in the EFL Trophy. He is expected to be sidelined for approximately one month.

Since the resumption of domestic football after the November international break, the U21 team has faced both Solihull Moors and Anderlecht, yet Obi has remained unavailable for selection. This season, the 18-year-old has made a significant impact, contributing five goals and two assists across 12 appearances in academy fixtures. Although he has not yet been called up to the senior squad, Obi’s potential has been recognized by the coaching staff.

Last season, under manager Ruben Amorim, Obi made eight senior appearances, showcasing his skills during the club’s post-season tour in Malaysia and Hong Kong. He started the first pre-season friendly against Leeds and participated in matches during Manchester United’s tour of the United States. Despite this promising start, the decision has been made to focus his development in the academy for the time being.

Coaching Perspectives on Development

Amorim recently reflected on Obi’s progression, emphasizing the importance of timing in a young player’s development. “Yeah, of course, he played last year,” Amorim stated when discussing the possibility of Obi stepping back into the first team. “I think it was too soon; we didn’t have a team that could support a young kid with 16 years. He will not struggle, or will struggle a little bit; it was completely necessary to do that.”

The manager expressed the need for careful management of young talents, noting the difficulties that can arise when they feel ready for senior responsibilities. “We have the opportunity and we seek that opportunity for the kids, so he’s one of the guys, but I think he started too soon,” he added.

U21 manager Travis Binnion shared insights on Obi’s potential in September, stating, “When you score as many goals as he has throughout his relatively short life, you can define yourself by goals.” He noted the rarity of players who consistently score two goals in every three games and acknowledged the learning curve Obi faces in understanding his role within the team structure.

Binnion highlighted Obi’s enthusiasm and hunger for the game, saying, “He is dying to be a footballer. He is hungry. And he’s still learning the game, learning how to project himself and learning how to play within a team, the club’s shape and system, so there’s still lots for him to do.” He concluded by emphasizing the importance of Obi’s eagerness to train and improve, stating, “The key is he wants to play, he wants to do well and wants to train. He could train every day if he could.”

As Obi continues his recovery, both coaching staff and fans will be watching closely to see how he develops in the coming months and when he will return to the pitch. The potential he has shown so far suggests that he could be a significant player for Manchester United in the future.