Amorim to finally unleash Man Utd 'animal' who could save season

Ruben Amorim is set to lean on Manchester United’s academy for reinforcements as injuries continue to mount, adding to his growing struggles.

United’s latest setback came with Lisandro Martinez’s anterior cruciate ligament injury, which could rule him out until 2026 after he suffered the blow against Crystal Palace earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Amad Diallo sustained an ankle ligament issue in training that will keep him out until pre-season, and Kobbie Mainoo faces weeks on the sidelines with a muscular problem.

As a result, United traveled to Tottenham on Sunday missing 12 senior players, forcing Amorim to name a bench packed with academy players—eight of whom had never played a Premier League minute. The only experienced substitute was Victor Lindelof.

Despite trailing 1-0 in the second half, Amorim was reluctant to introduce any of his youngsters.

However, in stoppage time, he handed a brief debut to Chido Obi, a 17-year-old striker who has impressed since arriving from Arsenal’s academy last summer. Obi has been in prolific form, scoring 12 goals in nine U18 Premier League and FA Youth Cup games, while also featuring for the U21s.

Former United defender Phil Jones, now working with the club’s academy at Carrington, has tipped Obi for a bright future and expects him to break into the senior team soon.

“United have some really talented young players coming through,” Jones told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.“The squad had a lot of injuries against Tottenham, and the bench was full of kids, but there were some real talents there.”

He singled out Obi as a potential star, adding: “People might not know a lot about them now, but they certainly will in the next few years.Chido [Obi]—who we’ve just signed from Arsenal—is an animal.”

With Amad sidelined, and both Marcus Rashford and Antony loaned out in January, opportunities are opening up for Obi.

Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee, and Alejandro Garnacho are Amorim’s only senior forward options, but all three have struggled for goals in recent weeks.

While Amorim hopes for the return of Manuel Ugarte and Tobby Collyer, whose injuries are thought to be short-term, United’s ongoing lack of firepower up front could see Obi given more chances between now and May.