Amorim 'fast-tracks' starlet into Man Utd first team 'due to lack of belief in strikers'

Ruben Amorim is fast-tracking Chido Obi-Martin into the first team following Marcus Rashford’s exit.

United’s goal-scoring woes this season are well-documented, with just 28 goals in 24 Premier League games—only three more than 18th-placed Leicester and half of league leaders Liverpool’s tally.

With Rashford departing for Aston Villa on loan and no reinforcements arriving in the January transfer window, Amorim is left with Joshua Zirkzee (£36.5m) and Rasmus Højlund (£72m)—neither of whom has scored in 2025.

Højlund’s goal drought has now stretched to 13 matches, while Zirkzee last found the net in a 4-0 win over Everton on December 1.

Their struggles led Amorim to deploy midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine against Crystal Palace—a gamble that backfired in a 2-0 defeat.

Now, Fabrizio Romano believes Obi-Martin could be fast-tracked into the senior setup.

“Man United always saw Chido as part of a future first squad plan, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets the chance from now until the end of the season,” Romano told GiveMeSport. “But nothing is confirmed at this stage.”

The 17-year-old Danish striker was sensational at youth level, scoring 32 goals in 18 matches for Arsenal’s U18s last season before joining United in the summer.

His scoring streak has continued, and with United’s frontline misfiring, his senior debut could arrive sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, Amorim’s faith in Højlund appears to be waning. Reports suggest the Danish forward is playing for his future at Old Trafford, with United prepared to listen to offers in the summer.

West Ham and Juventus are among the clubs monitoring his situation, with United potentially willing to accept a reduced fee for the 22-year-old, who has scored 23 goals in 73 appearances for the club.

Zirkzee’s difficult debut season at Old Trafford has seen him struggle with the pace and physicality of the Premier League.

The Dutch forward, who describes himself as a "nine and a half", has managed just four goals in 34 appearances, including one on his debut.

Following a humiliating early substitution against Newcastle late last year, reports suggested he considered pushing for a January loan move, with interest from Bologna and Juventus.

Ultimately, a decision was made for Zirkzee to see out the season, though a loan move to Italy in the summer remains on the table if United secure a high-caliber attacking upgrade.

Despite high expectations, Amorim’s tenure at United has been far from smooth, with the club still 13th in the Premier League, the same position as when he took charge.

He has lost eight of his 19 matches, including a record five home defeats—the fastest any United manager has reached that total in club history.

A controversial TV pundit has even claimed Amorim is already considering quitting, questioning whether he is "out of his depth" at Old Trafford.

However, United’s long-term planning under INEOS continues, with scouts closely monitoring a top Championship star as a summer priority.

Elsewhere, Jason Wilcox has been credited with a shrewd piece of transfer business in securing Tyrell Malacia’s move to PSV Eindhoven, negotiating favorable terms for the injury-hit Dutch full-back’s departure.