Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has been let down massively by the forwards at his disposal with the Red Devils being the fifth-lowest scorers in the Premier League this season.
Rasmus Hojlund has not netted in 16 consecutive games now while Joshua Zirkzee has blown hot and cold with the coach even admitting that he is not a natural No 9.
Add to it Amad’s season-ending injury, Alejandro Garnacho misfiring in front of goal, and it is clear that the Portuguese tactician is short on quality up front.
INEOS moved on Antony and Marcus Rashford in January, thereby further depleting his resources which is why Amorim was forced to look inwards for a solution.
Chido Obi becoming increasingly important for Amorim
Academy sensation Chido Obi was on fire for the academy, netting 12 goals in as many games including seven strikes in three FA Youth Cup games.
Which prompted the head coach to look at him in training and he was eventually handed his debut against Tottenham Hotspur during added time.
With the Danish No 9 and Zirkzee struggling to create against Everton last weekend, Amorim opted to introduce him in the 70th minute this time.
And as per The Daily Mail, academy coaches feel Chido Obi is unlikely to be available for Friday’s blockbuster FA Youth Cup quarter-final clash against Arsenal.
He has been an ever-present feature for Adam Lawrence’s side but they feel his added involvement in the first team rules out a chance to play on Friday, especially with two huge first-team games on Wednesday and Sunday.
“Obi has been the star of the show for Adam Lawrence’s side in their cup run so far, scoring braces against Coventry City and Preston North End before adding a hat-trick in the 5-1 last-16 win over Chelsea.
FA Youth Cup participation in doubt
“He has already matched the seven goals scored by Alejandro Garnacho when United won the Youth Cup in 2022, but doubts are creeping in as to whether he will play any part against former club Arsenal on Friday night in the quarter-final.
“Gabriele Biancheri can lead the line while James Scanlon has been in fine form during this Youth Cup run but sources close to the Under 18s concede the situation is ‘complicated’ heading into Friday.
“Others around Carrington believe his Everton cameo may well have extinguished all hopes of playing an academy game between two crucial first-team games.”
A lot will depend on how Wednesday’s game against Ipswich Town pans out. If there is no need to utilise him from the bench, there might yet be a chance to see him on Friday for the U18s.
But given Hojlund and Zirkzee’s form, Chido Obi might once again be required at Old Trafford tonight.
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
