Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has suggested that Chido Obi Martin is not close to making his first-team debut for the Red Devils despite his excellent form since arriving at Old Trafford.
Obi Martin had an incredible 2023-24 campaign for Arsenal Under-18s, scoring 32 goals in 18 appearances, including 28 goals in his final nine appearances of the campaign, but he decided against penning a new deal with the Gunners in order to join Man United.
The 17-year-old has nine goals in 10 appearances for Man United at Under-18s and Under-21s level this term, including five goals in six outings in the Under-18s Premier League.
Due to the team's failure to sign a new striker in January, and the current struggles of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, Amorim was asked during his press conference on Thursday whether Obi Martin was close to being involved with the first team.
However, the Red Devils head coach suggested that Obi Martin would continue his development in the youth set-up.
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Obi Martin has nine goals in 10 appearances for Man United since his arrival
"He's doing his job, he's improving, he's playing in the youth teams, and we have also other players that can play in that position. Rasmus [Hojlund] and Josh [Zirkzee] are there, we bought these two players, so we need to improve them and then sometimes the confidence can change a player," Amorim told reporters.
"We will see in the end of the season, but, until then, we have two strikers that can score goals. They proved it in the past. Let's see if we can improve as a team, to help them to score goals."
The Denmark Under-18s international struck a hat trick on his full debut for the Red Devils against Nottingham Forest Under-18s back in October, and he is regarded as one of the best young talents in the Premier League.
Obi Martin famously scored 10 times for Arsenal Under-16s in a single match against Liverpool Under-16s during his time at the Emirates Stadium, while he made his debut for Arsenal Under-21s at the age of 15, further demonstrating his potential.
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How have Hojlund, Zirkzee performed for Man United this season?
There is no getting away from the fact that both Hojlund and Zirkzee are having difficult campaigns.
The former has seven goals and one assist in 30 appearances, but his Premier League record is two goals in 19 outings, with the majority of his strong performances during the 2024-25 campaign coming in the Europa League.
Zirkzee, meanwhile, has four goals and two assists in 35 appearances, with the Netherlands international managing just three goals and one assist in the Premier League this term.
Man United are expected to move for a big-money centre-forward this summer, with Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres and Ipswich Town's Liam Delap both believed to be targets for the 20-time English champions.
Matt Law
