Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim was let down heavily by INEOS when they failed to bring a new striker during the closing stages of the January window.
The situation got so bad that the Portuguese was forced to play Kobbie Mainoo up top in the Premier League game against Crystal Palace last Sunday.
It was a timely message to the co-owners that he has very little faith in Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee’s abilities to change the club’s fortunes.
The Dane’s goalscoring rut is now into its 13th game while the Netherlands international has only four goals in 35 matches in all competitions.
Amorim’s threadbare attack
The Dane is reportedly on trial until the end of the season with INEOS open to his sale with West Ham among his potential suitors.
Apart from the misfiring striker duo, Amorim only has Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo to call upon until the end of the season now that Marcus Rashford has departed on loan to Aston Villa.
And the ex-Sporting Lisbon boss could look inwards to solve the goalscoring crisis with Chido Obi a potential option.
The former Arsenal youth star has been on fire since his move to Old Trafford, netting nine goals in 10 games while also registering one assist.
Despite being only 17, he has already made his full debut for the U21s and as per Fabrizio Romano, a first team call-up could be on the cards.
Chido Obi could be an option
“Man United always saw Chido as part of a future first squad plan, so I’d not be surprised if he gets the chance from now to the end of the season to join the first team,” the Italian told Givemesport.
United coaches are delighted with the “outrageous” talent’s progress and one of the main reasons why he departed the Emirates was because he felt his pathway to the first team was blocked over there.
Amorim had shown during his time in Lisbon that he was not afraid to thrown talented kids into the deep end if required and Chido Obi’s time could be just around the corner if he keeps on impressing for the academy.
If not in the Premier League, an FA Cup or Europa League runout makes a lot of sense.
Feature image Lewis Storey via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
