Who is Chido Obi-Martin? The 17-Year-Old Manchester United Starlet Tipped For Success And Set For Reunion With Arsenal

Manchester United starlet Chido Obi-Martin recently made his Premier League debut after taking the Under-18s by storm. The breakout talent is a striker who is tipped for future success. However, he is still a name that is unfamiliar to many – so just who is Chido Obi-Martin?

Bright Start After Switch From Arsenal

Chido Obi-Martin, born in Glostrup, Denmark, was a highly touted striker going back to his days at Arsenal.

After scoring 32 goals in 20 appearances for the Gunners’ Under-18s side, he turned down a scholarship contract with the north London side to join Manchester United.

The 17-year old made an instant impact for Manchester United’s Under-18s, after joining from rivals Arsenal last October.

He scored a hat-trick against Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup last month and has 12 goals in nine appearances for the U18 side – averaging a goal every 47 minutes.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim hopes Obi-Martin’s form can carry over into the senior side. He came off the bench in Premier League games against Tottenham and Everton.

United failed to qualify for the next round of the FA Cup thanks to two decisive saves by Fulham’s Bernd Leno in the shootout.

Leno, however, was far from the only ex-Arsenal alumni to shine that evening, with Obi-Martin producing United’s best chance for a win late in injury time after replacing Rasmus Højlund in the 68th minute.

The emergence of Obi-Martin could provide a boost at a time when Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are struggling for goals.

Tipped For Success?

Despite Manchester United’s shortcomings against Fulham, pundits and commentators alike were full of praise for the young winger.

Premier League all-time top scorer Alan Shearer could be heard singing the youngster’s praises from the commentary box, telling the BBC how much more he offered than the out-of-form Højlund.

Shearer remarked, “He’s certainly offered a lot more than Højlund has when he was on the pitch. He’s been a nuisance and tough to play against.”

Chido Obi:
• 3 big chances in 52 minutes today.

Rasmus Hojlund:
• 3 big chances in 22 Premier League games this season.

CRAZY STAT!! 🤯 https://t.co/5dgDA9qkUx

— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) March 2, 2025

Manchester United legends Andy Cole and Rio Ferdinand discussed the rising star on Rio Ferdinand Presents. Cole admitted: “When you’re raw and you’re 17, you have no fear. I looked at him yesterday…he’s definitely got a chance.”

Ferdinand was certainly in agreement, adding: “He’s still rough around the edges and he should be, but what I don’t have any fear about is that he will get chances.”

This was a sentiment echoed by Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.

Amorim told MUTV that Obi-Martin did ‘really well’ but admitted he may have been ‘a little bit naïve in some moments’.

Why Is Obi-Martin Not In Man United’s Europa League Squad?

Manchester United’s only chance for success this season, and qualifying for next season’s Champions League, is by winning the Europa League.

Ruben Amorim looked to bolster his chances by adding Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven to United’s Europa League ‘A’ squad.

However, it appears Amorim decided not to utilise Obi-Martin’s talents at that moment in time.

United also had the opportunity to upgrade their Europa League ‘B’ squad ahead of their Europa League last-16 tie with Real Sociedad.

Players are eligible for the ‘B’ list if they have played for the club either for two consecutive years from a player’s 15th birthday or two out of three years if the player had been on loan.

Unfortunately for United, Obi-Martin does not meet either of those criteria. This could prove a blow to United’s European dreams given their extensive injury list and issues in front of goal.

Chido Obi-Martin for the United U18’s/21’s:

– 12 games
– 12 goals
– 2 assists
– 14 G/A

A star in the making 💫 pic.twitter.com/5nmwzmJnmz

— 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐫 (@badassw23) January 29, 2025

Chido Obi-Martin Set For Arsenal Reunion

Manchester United fans could expect to see the young Red Devil back in action this weekend.

Reports suggested that Obi-Martin might have been ‘asked to leave’ Arsenal last year.

However, the teenager turned down contract offers from the Gunners and ultimately join Manchester United. So does Obi-Martin have a point to prove?

He could face his former side when the Gunners travel to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday.