Manchester United have a wealth of talent at the academy, and coach Reuben Amorim has already shown an appetite to give the first team of those young talents
Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones believes teen starlet Chido Obi should be ready to join for his first team this season. The arrival of £74 million striker Benjamin Sesco may limit opportunities for young people, particularly as United fails to qualify for Europe and suffers early elimination from the Carabao Cup. However, Jones still sees him getting a chance.
Obi joined United from Arsenal’s academy last season and made his debut against Tottenham in February. He played eight times under Reuben Amorim and became United’s youngest Premier League starter in history when he was selected by Amorim’s XI to face Brentford in May.
However, Jones feels Danish Under 21 International is ready for senior football after rising the ranks. “When he was playing 18S football, it was a man against a boy. He was bullying people.
“I think he needs to understand where he is in his head and what his realistic expectations are. Is he going to play all the games? No.
“But all he has to do is make sure he is when he is asked and he is asked and he can get a chance. He is ready and happy.
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Obi returned to United’s two-twenty-one team early in the season, with Sesco and newly signed Matthews Cunya earning minutes in the role of No. 9. The teenager played three times in Premier League 2, started twice, scoring the second goal of the season, helping him beat Manchester City last time.
United have allowed other strikers to leave the loan. Rasmus Hojlund will join Napoli on a potential permanent deal next summer, with Ethan Wheatley getting minutes in Northampton Town and League One. But Obi remains at Old Trafford.
Jones’ comments come after Lars Knudsen, a 21-year-old boss from below Denmark, informs him that Obi feels he needs normal football. “I can’t stand here and say anything about it because it’s somewhere else than me,” said Knudsen, who reported by Bold.
“This is the hope we have for the national team because we know that playing time is important. It’s both for performance and in terms of developing ourselves. Of course, I hope he goes where he can play.”
Obi is not part of the Danish team that is under 21 euros, with Newcastle forward leading Osla. However, he is part of Knudsen’s first team along with United striker Hozilund’s younger brother Oscar.
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