Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim praised striker Chido Obi after his impressive substitute appearance during the FA Cup tie against Fulham at the weekend.
Although the 17-year-old was on the losing side after the Red Devils crashed out of the tournament on penalties, Amorim was keen to recognise the teenager’s performance:
“Chido, very good moves, a lot to improve, a bit naive, but a very good day for Chido, less so for the team.”
Unsurprisingly, with Rasmus Hojlund continuing to struggle in front of goal, United fans on X are now calling for Obi to start ahead of the Dane:
Clearly he is better than hojlund
— anandhu (@anandhu_MUFC) March 3, 2025
He looked far more lively and productive even though he didn't score a goal
— . (@Headingley135_) March 3, 2025
Needs to start
— James Knell (@oldskoolnod) March 2, 2025
Just let him play the rest of the games now, give him confidence as a starter and see how he does. Takes Rasmus out of the firing line and he may do better coming on than starting every game.
— Colin Grist (@colingrist) March 2, 2025
Time to give the lad a start he can’t do any worse than Hojlund has done all season
— Tutu (@ManLikeTT) March 2, 2025
It's high time this kid starts some games….I mean if he's good enough his old enough to start game ahead of that striker.
— Abdulazeez Musa (@elnino4sure) March 2, 2025
Obi made his case against Fulham
Amorim had already given the promising youngster a couple of cameos prior to the match versus Fulham, but he really caught the eye on Sunday evening.
Despite his age, Obi showed great strength to outmuscle Calvin Bassey for his first chance, which he shanked a shot across goal. He then showed great instincts to toe-poke a chance wide after getting ahead of the defender at the near post.
The Danish youth international then nearly scored a memorable winner in extra time, only for Fulham’s No.1 Bernd Leno to tip the ball away from goal.
United won’t be able to call upon the teenager for the Europa League
Amorim knows that his team will have to improve if they are to get a good result in Spain against Real Sociedad later this week.
However, Obi is ineligible to play in Europe. An unlimited number of youngsters can be added to the B List but UEFA rules stipulate that players can only be included if they have been at the club for two or more years. The striker joined from Arsenal last summer.
Find out who is in Manchester United’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
