The quantity of expertise Manchester United has created from their academy over time is astronomical. In fact, we are able to return to the times of the Busby Babes, the start of the Premier League period, when the category of ’92 exploded on the scene, or extra not too long ago, when Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford raised the academy flag.
At the moment, Cobbie Mine is the one academy alumnus who really established himself on his first group. It, in some ways, is a tragic reflection of the membership’s present state, and as soon as took pleasure within the do-it-yourself star.
Nonetheless, a couple of academy gamers are across the first group’s group, with one of the well-known gamers being Chido Obi.
Chido Obi’s Man United Profession Profession
It was an intriguing transfer for a lot of when the Pink Devils secured Obi’s signature after leaving Arsenal final summer season. The 17-year-old joined United with an enormous status in academy soccer.
His report on the youth degree is phenomenal. For United beneath 18, he scored 12 targets in 10 video games and eight 5 targets beneath 21. Throughout his keep at Arsenal, Denmark Youth Worldwide scored 32 targets in simply 21 video games for the under-18 Gunners facet.
With that report in thoughts, it was most likely not stunning that Obi made his first group debut at United final season. He hasn’t performed this season but, however the 17-year-old has already notched eight appearances. He additionally scored twice for the primary group on the postseason tour on the finish of 2024/25.
One man who is aware of one or two issues about being a top-level striker is Alan Shearer. The highest goalscorer within the Premier League was impressed by the kids after his FA Cup effort with Fulham final season. Shearer stated, “I like what I see from Obi’s perspective,” describing him as a “handful” for the defender.
Obi is actually an thrilling expertise and one other alumnus of United Academy. Nevertheless, he isn’t the one prime attacker to cross Carrington’s ranks.
Man Utd could have the subsequent Wayne Rooney
Underneath Reuben Amorim, the variety of academy alumni concerned within the first group has declined considerably, however there are nonetheless routes out there. Obi’s rank rise actually proved that.
Effectively, maybe the subsequent one on that path could be 17-year-old Amir Ibragimov. A flexible attacker can manipulate as No. 8 and No. 10 within the center and play on either side. He actually made an enormous impression after his academy efficiency.
Ibragimov has a formidable report of 11 targets and 9 assists in 33 video games within the Underneath-18 Premier League. The 2024/25 season was his first full marketing campaign within the competitors, with him choked up 14 targets and assists in 22 video games.
Ibragimov’s report within the U18S Premier League | ||
|---|---|---|
season | recreation | Objectives and Help |
2022/23 | 5 | 1 |
2023/24 | 2 | 1 |
2024/25 | twenty two | 14 |
2025/26 | 4 | 4 |
Statistics from TransferMarkt | ||
One of many largest tributes paid to Ibragimov got here from postal journalists Nathan Salt and Isan Khan. They in contrast the United younger man to one of many best greats of all time, Wayne Rooney, due to his “imaginative and prescient and talent to decide on the cross of his offensive.”
In fact, it is not straightforward to duplicate what Rooney did with that well-known purple shirt. Nevertheless, in keeping with Antonio Mango, the 17-year-old has “harmful” attacking skills and, as his numbers present, could make an actual impression within the last third.
There is a lengthy approach to go earlier than Ibragimov reveals similarities with Rooney on the primary group. However the best way he performed for the Pink Devils academy is actually sooner or later.
Maybe he can shortly observe Obi’s path and enter the higher facet. If he had Rooney succeeded for United, Ibragimov would have had a formidable profession.
