Chido Obi-Martin, a 17-year-old striker, has openly expressed regret over his decision to join Manchester United from Arsenal. Although he secured a lucrative contract with the Red Devils, his expectations of breaking into the first team have not been met. The young forward’s frustration has grown as he remains sidelined from senior action, casting doubt on the wisdom of his move.
Obi-Martin initially left Arsenal due to concerns about his pathway into the first team. Despite signing a new contract with the Gunners, he was unsure about his future role at the club and sought opportunities elsewhere. Manchester United, facing financial limitations and a need for emerging talents, seemed like an ideal destination. The promise of quicker first-team involvement, alongside an attractive contract, convinced him to make the switch in July 2024.
However, life at Old Trafford has not gone as planned. Under manager Rúben Amorim, the team has struggled significantly, currently sitting 15th in the Premier League. With key players sidelined due to injuries, the situation appeared to offer an opportunity for young players to step up. Despite this, Obi-Martin has primarily featured in the youth setup, where he has excelled, scoring seven goals in three FA Youth Cup matches, including a hat-trick against Chelsea U18s.
The lack of first-team chances has left Obi-Martin disheartened. He openly admitted his disappointment, saying, “Honestly, I regret coming to Old Trafford. I was promised a chance to play in the first team, but the promise is not being kept. My mates at Arsenal are already playing in big matches.” His words highlight the gap between the assurances given during transfer negotiations and the reality he faces now.
Adding to his frustration, several of his former Arsenal teammates have already broken into the Gunners’ first team, gaining valuable experience at the highest level. Pundits and fans have taken notice, with former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel criticizing Amorim’s reluctance to give young players opportunities. He questioned the logic behind substituting Obi-Martin in the 90th minute instead of allowing him more playing time.
Amorim, however, remains cautious in his approach to developing young players. He insists that Obi-Martin must be introduced at the right time to avoid excessive pressure. “We must be careful with young talents. Chido is a natural goal scorer, but we need to introduce him at the right time,” the manager explained. Despite these reassurances, the lack of attacking options in the first team has only intensified calls for his inclusion.
Fans have taken to social media to express their frustration, questioning Amorim’s decision-making. Some believe Obi-Martin could be a solution to Manchester United’s attacking struggles and are urging the manager to give him a fair chance. One fan lamented, “Why is Amorim not giving this young center forward a chance? Instead of putting Kobbie up there, just put him there. He’s not as lazy as the center forwards we have now.”
As Manchester United prepares for an important away match against Everton on February 22, 2025, the scrutiny on team selection continues to grow. For Obi-Martin, his immediate goal remains proving himself at the youth level in hopes of breaking into the senior squad. Whether he gets the opportunity he was promised remains to be seen, but the pressure on Amorim to make changes is stronger than ever.
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