Denmark U21 boss Steffen Højer has revealed details of a private conversation he held with Manchester United regarding Chido Obi.
Obi has enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom since ditching Arsenal for United last summer. After impressing in the youth teams, Ruben Amorim promoted him to the first team last month and handed him his debut in the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Aged 17 years and 79 days old, Obi became United’s third-youngest ever Premier League player, behind only Angel Gomes (16 years 263 days) and Shola Shoretire (17 years 19 days).
He has since made a few more promising appearances from the bench and on current pace, it’s only a matter of time until the striker gets his first start for the club.
Obi has been called up to Denmark’s U21 side for the next fortnight and their manager, Højer, has opened up on the youngster’s qualities in an interview with news outlet Bold.
Højer said, “I’ve spoken to an assistant coach from United who says that Chido doesn’t hold back when they train over there.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing him, and I’m also looking forward to giving him the peace he needs now, to just come in and see what this is all about.”
Pressed further on what United told him about Obi, Højer answered, “It’s really just mostly about the training part, as I can follow the jump-in and so on.”
“But they have been satisfied with what they have seen in training. He has some unique qualities. He has a wild physique and is a strong finisher, so they have seen that there as well.”
“That is why they give him those minutes. Of course there is also a reason why he also gets the minutes at United, because it is not their best year.”
He concluded, “But on the other hand, it also shows something that they still dare to put a 17-year-old Dane on the United team in the situation they are in now. After all, they have done that a few times now.”
Obi signed his professional contract with United when he celebrated his 17th birthday in November.
United are back in action on April 1 when they go away to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
