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Manchester United Under-21s boss Adam Lawrence has outlined the club’s plan for Chido Obi and what the future may hold for the youngster.

Backward development

Regarded as one of the best talents in the country, United pulled off a major coup when they lured Obi away from Arsenal in October 2024.

The goalscoring prodigy hit the ground running in United’s youth ranks as he constantly found the back of the net for fun. His performances earned him a place in Ruben Amorim’s first-team plans. Obi made his Premier League debut in February 2025 when he came on as a late substitute in a defeat at Tottenham Hotspur’s hands.

Obi made United history when, aged 17 days and 156 days old, he became United’s youngest-ever player to start a top-flight match against Brentford.

This term however, the Dane has had to be content with youth football. He has bounced between the Under-21s and Under-18s.

Many have viewed it as a demotion of sorts, considering he was heavily involved with the first team last season. However, Lawrence has insisted that his kind of backward development is exactly what Obi needed as he looks to launch his career at...