Manchester United academy staff believe they have “not even scraped the top of the iceberg” with Chido Obi-Martin following his masterclass in Saturday’s Under-18 derby win over Manchester City.
The 18-year-old forward, who arrived with massive expectations from Arsenal, netted his ninth goal of the campaign in a clinical 3-1 victory. However, it wasn’t just his goalscoring that left the coaching staff at Carrington delighted; it was his relentless work rate out of possession.
The Derby Masterclass: More Than Just Goals
Obi-Martin’s pressure was the catalyst for United’s opening goal, forcing a defensive error from City. He then put the game to bed with a stunning strike seven minutes from time.
While the Dane has already tasted first-team football making seven senior appearances last season United have made a strategic decision to “de-escalate” his involvement for the 2025/26 campaign. By allowing him to develop away from the intense first-team spotlight, the club aims to refine his tactical understanding without the pressure of Premier League results.
“He Wants to Train Every Day” – Travis Binnion
United’s Lead Academy Coach, Travis Binnion, has been quick to manage expectations while praising the youngster’s elite mentality.
“Because he’s had exposure with the first-team, people expect performance levels that are really consistent and really high,” Binnion told the Manchester Evening News. “He pressed, he ran, and he occupied two centre-halves to give other players space. He is hungry and dying to be a footballer.”
What’s Next: The FA Youth Cup
The focus now shifts to Wednesday, where Obi-Martin is set to lead the line against Oxford in the FA Youth Cup fifth round. Having fired the U18s to the semi-finals last season with a staggering seven goals in four matches, the striker is looking to go one step further this year and secure the trophy that eluded him after last year’s exit to Aston Villa.
For Ruben Amorim and the senior recruitment team, Obi-Martin’s development remains a priority. The club’s “slow-burn” approach suggests that while he is currently dominating youth football, his path back to the first team is being carefully paved for the long term.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.