Rising star MU delivers a top-class poker, opening the door to the first team

Chido Obi netted four goals for Manchester United U21, confirming his outstanding performance and eagerness to rejoin the senior squad.

On the night of the first team Manchester United defeated Everton 1-0 thanks to Benjamin Sesko’s goal, the young striker Chido Obi also made a strong impact by scoring all four goals to help MU U21 beat Leicester 4-1. This comprehensive performance is seen as a powerful statement that he is ready for a new opportunity with the first team.

Obi’s four goals demonstrated a rare variety of finishing skills for an 18-year-old. He opened the scoring with a precise close-range header. The second came after a turn outside the box, beating a defender and firing a sharp left-footed shot into the far corner. For the third, Obi skillfully lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper with his left foot in a one-on-one situation. In stoppage time, he sprinted past a defender and calmly finished with his right foot to seal the win. Header, left foot, right foot—a perfect “poker” in every sense.

This breakout is even more remarkable considering Obi’s development journey in the 2025/26 season. He was given a first-team debut by coach Ruben Amorim in February 2025 at just 17 years old. However, Amorim later admitted that he promoted the young talent too early, as Obi hadn’t fully dominated matches at the U21 level then.

MU’s coaching staff decided to keep him at the academy instead of loaning him out, focusing on honing his skills and mental toughness. Early in the season, Obi shared playing time with Gabriele Biancheri and had not yet exploded onto the scene. Although he maintained his natural goal-scoring instincts that once set records at the U18 Premier League, his U21 form was only steady.

The turning point came when Obi was given more chances in the FA Youth Cup and the youth derby against Man City. His confidence returned, and the match against Leicester was the clearest proof of his progress. With 14 goals across all competitions this season, Obi is showing significant growth compared to a year ago.