Manchester United’s 17-year-old striker Chido Obi won’t be part of their Europa League campaign for the remainder of the season.
Despite his strong performances for United’s youth teams, where he’s been a standout player, Obi was not included in the squad for the knockout stages of the competition.
He had been a regular off the bench in recent matches, particularly with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling for form in front of goal.
However, Obi will miss out on the Europa League clash with Real Sociedad in Spain.
Ruben Amorim Explains the Decision
Ruben Amorim, Manchester United’s coach, has stepped in to explain the decision to leave Obi out of the squad.
He acknowledged the young striker’s talent but highlighted that the context around squad selection at the time was different.
According to Amorim, both Rasmus and Zirkzee were playing in the same position, and so the decision was made based on the team’s current needs and tactical requirements.
“It was a different context,” Amorim explained. “At that moment, Rasmus and Josh were playing in the same position.
So we tried to manage things carefully, considering the expectations placed on the younger players.
The context was completely different, and we decided to go with other players.”
Managing Young Players’ Development
Amorim also emphasized the importance of managing young players’ expectations and development carefully.
The decision to leave out Obi was not just about the player’s ability but also about ensuring he was prepared for future opportunities.
Amorim stressed that bringing youth players into high-stakes matches is a big step, and it’s important to be mindful of how they are integrated into the team.
“I try to manage everything and think about the player’s formation and our overall squad,” he said.
“It’s about considering every aspect – not just what looks good to the fans or media, but what’s best for the players and the team.”
Other Squad Decisions for Europa League
Alongside Obi, Jack Fletcher was also left out of the Europa League squad for the knockout rounds, despite being included in the initial selection.
Fletcher missed the squad for the Real Sociedad clash, as he had not trained with the team after a previous match against Fulham.
Similarly, Harry Amass was also not included despite having been part of the team for the FA Youth Cup against Arsenal.
Amorim concluded by saying that balancing squad selection with player development is a delicate task.
Each decision is made with the long-term well-being and growth of the young players in mind.