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Manchester United last won the FA Youth Cup in 2022 and Alejandro Garnacho was the talisman in that special group of youngsters. Every successful team needs a prolific goalscorer and the current Under-18 side has the exciting Chido Obi-Martin to produce buckets of goals this season.
United are always on the lookout to add the best-emerging talent to their academy and signing Obi-Martin, who is regarded as one the most exciting young talents in Europe, in the summer window was a further signal of the club’s intent to continue to be best-in-class in youth football.
United considered the signing of Obi-Martin from Arsenal as a ‘significant coup’ and it’s understandable to see why he is so highly-regarded when you see him in the flesh.
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Obi-Martin is the tallest player in practically every academy game he features in and he is expected to become a formidable striker when he strengthens further and fills into his frame.
The 17-year-old started for the U18s against Preston North End in the FA Youth Cup fourth round on Friday night and scored twice in the first half. Obi-Martin’s fist goal was a simple tap-in after a superb, driving run from Jack Fletcher but his second highlighted his finishing quality.
Obi-Martin found himself on the left, he cut inside and effortlessly found the bottom right corner, perfectly placing his effort into the side netting, which made it impossible to be saved.
The youngster celebrated by mimicking Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous ‘siuuuuu’ celebration and the young fans in attendance at Leigh Sports Village tried to get a closer look at him by rushing down to the dug-out when United’s players returned to the dressing room for the interval.
United were 4-0 up by that stage and J. Fletcher and Reece Munro had also got on the scoresheet. Preston swept aside Liverpool in the previous round of the Youth Cup, but United were simply a class above in the opening 45 minutes and it felt inevitable Obi-Martin would score a hat-trick.
Obi-Martin scored twice.
Remarkably, Obi-Martin has more goals than appearances this season – and he is still not the finished article. He has been pulling apart defences and finding the back of the net with ease, but there are plenty areas of his game to improve and that’s why he’s such an exceptional prospect.
Obi-Martin scores goals for fun and his ceiling is far from being reached. He will provide the U18s with firepower to win the Youth Cup and is the talisman they need to win the trophy.
One of the biggest challenges Obi-Martin will face is keeping his feet on the ground. He was clearly the main attraction at Leigh Sports Village and coaches will have to keep him grounded.
When the youngsters emerged for the second half, they came out wearing black armbands to pay their respects to the legendary Denis Law, who sadly passed away aged 84 on Friday.
Preston then threatened a spectacular comeback by scoring twice in just 10 minutes. The away side almost made it 4-3 with 20 minutes to play, but United goalkeeper William Murdock produced an outstanding save, acrobatically denying a shot that was destined for the top corner.
United were in cruise control in the first half and looked a bit stunned by Preston’s performance in the second half, as the Lancashire club finally created chances and asked questions.
Obi-Martin’s involvement waned and Jayce Fitzgerald came to the fore in midfield, demonstrating his grit and technical quality in the the centre of the pitch when United needed control.
There was a chance for Obi-Martin to score his hat-trick in the last minute, though. United won a penalty after a winding run from Amir Ibragmiov, but he won the foul and insisted he would covert from the spot. Obi-Martin didn’t look pleased and will learn to become a team player as he matures.
United progressed with a 5-2 win and will face Chelsea in the next round of the Youth Cup. United have won the competition more than any other club (11) and Chelsea have won it nine times, so the tie deserves a healthy attendance, but it’s expected to be played at Leigh Sports Village again.
It will be a clash of two special academy teams and Obi-Martin might be the difference again.