Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Chido Obi has been training with the senior side this week.
The 17-year-old has been in outstanding form for the Red Devils this season, scoring 12 times in 12 appearances at Under-18s and Under-21s level, including seven goals in three matches in the FA Youth Cup.
Obi netted a hat trick against Chelsea Under-18s in the fifth round of the competition on Wednesday night, and he is viewed as one of the best young prospects in world football following his incredible exploits at Arsenal.
The teenager scored 32 goals in 18 appearances for Arsenal Under-18s last season, including 28 goals in his final nine appearances of the campaign, but he decided against signing a new contract with the Gunners.
Man United won the race for his services, and he has continued his excellent goalscoring exploits for his new club.
Amorim has revealed that the teenager has been training with the first team ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur, hinting at a possible involvement in North London.
"I don't want to say names. We have to be careful on that. We have problems this week, we called some young players to be in our training. We have some data evaluation. He is one of them," said Amorim during Friday's press conference.
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Obi trains with Man United first team due to squad issues
Amorim revealed that there are currently some concerns ahead of the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the Red Devils potentially being without a couple of important players.
"Was a good week until two days ago, we had some problems, we don't have players back, maybe we have one or two issues, we are waiting. We have one player who is sick, we will see on the weekend," he told reporters.
Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Mason Mount are definitely unavailable for selection, and the fresh issues may open the door for some academy players to be included in the squad on Sunday.
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Will Obi be in the Man United squad against Spurs?
Amorim's decision not to name the players that are doubts for Sunday means that it is difficult to speculate, but if either Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee are impacted, then it would not be a surprise to see Obi make the trip to North London.
There is no getting away from the fact that both Hojlund and Zirkzee have struggled this season, and Amorim recently selected Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine against Crystal Palace in an attempt to find a solution in the final third.
Hojlund has seven goals in 31 appearances this season, while Zirkzee has five in 36, so it is difficult to ignore the numbers that Obi is producing, albeit at youth level.
Man United do not have much to lose in the league in the coming months, with the FA Cup and Europa League much more important in terms of their campaign, and now should be the time for Obi to be given some first-team exposure, particularly off the back of a stunning treble against Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup.
Matt Law
