Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Chido Obi made eight first-team appearances for Manchester United last season
BySimon StoneManchester United reporter- Published1 hour ago
It underlines the unpredictability of youth development that 12 months ago, Manchester United forward Chido Obi had already made four first-team appearances, was about to make four more - including his first start - and then score his first senior goals in the 3-1 post-season victory in Hong Kong.
Wind the clock forward and Chido is now looking to make an impact in the Premier League Under-21 International Cup quarter-final with Real Madrid at Old Trafford.
After that it will be two huge games against Crystal Palace, the FA Youth Cup semi-final and the Premier League Cup Under-18 final.
Last year, then aged 17, Chido was felt to be stronger than older youth-team forwards, hence his promotion by former manager Ruben Amorim towards the end of last season, featuring in seven Premier League games and one FA Cup tie.
However, since returning from United's pre-season tour, Chido's first-team experience has been limited to a single bench spot - against Wolves on 30 December, when he did not get on the pitch. He has only recently started training with the senior squad again.
Nothing did more damage to Amorim in his dealings with United's academy than his dismissive comments about Chido and 19-year-old defender Harry Amass in December as he defended his decision to ignore the club's young players.
"Amass [then on loan at Sheffield Wednesday] is struggling in Championship. Chido is not always a starter in the under-21s," Amorim said.
Within the academy, it was felt to be a needless and potentially damaging swipe.
Chido, who was born and raised in the Danish capital Copenhagen before moving to England to further his football career in 2020, arrived at United from Arsenal as a free-scoring striker.
United staff knew as he went through the age groups the forward had to develop other parts of his game on and off the pitch.
Chido has been spotted doing solo gym work at a fitness centre local to his club's Carrington training ground, and sources have been impressed and encouraged by his willingness to accept the challenge.
Adam Lawrence was Chido's under-18s coach last season. As part of the reshuffle triggered by Michael Carrick's arrival, he returned to the club in late January to take over the under-21s.
"Chido has real quality and potential and is in a really good place," he said.
"He's benefited from routine, rhythm and a settled programme. He's got the same people working with him and similar groups of players.
"Of late, he's had more training opportunities with the first team. The good thing for him to understand is that's off the back of how he's been training and performing at academy level as opposed to them [doing it out of] necessity.
"Chido loves football. Naturally, with any player, when you've had that first-team exposure and then you're not around it as often, it's going to have an impact.
"There will be that bit of disappointment or frustration. He deserves credit for approaching it in the right way."
Loan inquiries for Chido, who has scored 15 goals this season across a variety of youth competitions, were rejected in January.
Capped by Denmark's Under-21s in September, he has scored in the past three rounds of the FA Youth Cup and got four in a Premier League 2 win at Leicester in February.
Speaking publicly to media who regularly cover United's academy games for the first time since his return to the club, Lawrence confirmed Chido had fully recovered from the concussion he suffered against Chelsea Under-21s in March.
"That was a setback because in the two or three weeks previous to that, he looked really good - Chido at his best," he said.
"At Leicester, he looked a level above the game. Before that, for the under-18s at Manchester City, through his pressing and leading the line, he looked like a proper player.
"It was a conscious decision at the start of the season for Chido to concentrate his development in the academy environment.
"The club were right to do what they did in the window just gone, for Chido to stay in the building."
Watching youth matches, it feels like Chido's name is shouted by coaches on the sidelines more than any other player.
"When a coach is tough on players or they spend more time with them, it means that they really believe in them," Lawrence added.
"There are times where you're going to be really supportive and put your arm around them and there's others where you give them a nudge and they need to stand on their own two feet.
"Chido has a group of coaches who believe in his potential and are working hard to help him fulfil it.
"Obviously, the player must turn up every day hungry to improve.
"We're pushing Chido and challenging him. He has a great programme of games ahead of him and ultimately his level of progression and performance will dictate what happens in the summer."
