17-year-old Chido Obi is among the seven academy youngsters included in the Manchester United squad for today’s Premier League clash against Tottenham.
United are in action in north London this afternoon with Ruben Amorim’s squad thread-bare after a devastating series of injury blows.
Amad Diallo is facing a long spell on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury in training this week and is likely to undergo surgery in the coming days.
With Marcus Rashford and Antony sent out on loan last month, it leaves the manager with the attacking options of Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho – who have mustered just one goal between them in 2025.
With little alternative, Amorim has padded out his squad today with the young stars from the club’s academy.
Obi, Harry Amass, Elyh Harrison, Tyler Fredricson, Jack Fletcher, Jack Moorhouse and Sekou Kone are all on the bench today along with fellow teenager Ayden Heaven, signed from Arsenal in January. Victor Lindelof is the only senior player among the subs.
Obi will be the name perhaps most familiar to United supporters with the striker ditching Arsenal to join the club in September.
He has maintained the prolific form that saw him regarded as one of Arsenal’s brightest young talents, scoring a hat-trick in less than 15 minutes on his full debut for the Under-18s against Nottingham Forest in October. Seven goals in three FA Youth Cup appearances have heightened calls for him to be considered for the senior squad.
Having only turned 17 in November, United would have perhaps preferred to hold off on his introduction but with problems in the senior squad, he could get his chance to make his debut today.
There are also problems in midfield with Kobbie Mainoo expected to be out for a number of weeks. Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer have also not made the trip down south, leaving Amorim with the senior options of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in the middle of the park.
Neither has started a game since United’s defeat to Newcastle United on 30 December with United’s midfield severely lacking energy and mobility after this week’s spate of injuries.
19-year-old Moorhouse could be an option to step in today. The midfielder has caught the eye at Under-21 level and will be joined in the squad Kone who is also with the group.
The Mali international, who only turned 18 in February, arrived at the club in the summer from Guidars FC in his homeland having enjoyed an impressive Under-17 World Cup last year, helping his nation reach the semi-finals. Liverpool and Wolves were among the clubs also tracking the youngster.
Since arriving in Manchester, the defensive midfielder has been given time to settle into the city and has turned in bright performances for the Under-21 side, notably against their Tottenham counterparts earlier this month. It was his first full 90-minute appearance for the club, raw but regarded as a player with a very high ceiling.
Left-back Amass, also 17, impressed during pre-season with United fans spending much of the season eager to see him handed his chance, given United’s persistent issues with Luke Shaw this term.
Goalkeeper Harrison, 18, was recalled from his loan spell at Chester in January while 19-year-old Fredricson offers another option at centre-half.
Midfielder Fletcher, son of United great Darren, also makes up the numbers today having previously made the squad under Erik ten Hag.
