Chido Obi sends message to Man Utd bosses over future with stunning strike

Chido Obi hit a stunning 20 yard strike in the top corner as he fights for his future at Manchester United.

The 18-year-old scored twice for United's Under-21s in Friday's 5-1 friendly win over Ipswich Town, before taking to Instagram to share one of his goals.

It was another reminder of the Dane's natural finishing ability.

But for all the goals Obi has scored at youth level, there remains a question hanging over his future at Old Trafford.

Can he turn his opportunities with the first team into goals and performances when the pressure is on in the first team?

Unlike players like JJ Gabriel and Jim Thwaites, Obi will be sold this summer if a good deal comes in for him.

Obi has developed an impressive reputation since joining United from Arsenal in 2024.

He has been one of the most prolific young strikers in the academy and finished last season with 13 goals in Premier League 2.

His latest double against Ipswich was another demonstration of what he can do when playing against players around his own age.

Obi has the movement, physicality and instinct required to operate as a No.9, and he has repeatedly shown that he knows where the back of the net is.

But there are plenty of questions about his ability to step up from youth level as he has never been able to produce in the first team.

Obi has already been given opportunities in the senior squad and played in games but less so last season which is not an encouraging sign.

Due to injuries he was put into the team but has always looked very raw and off the pace.

It would be easy to argue that Obi simply needs more opportunities, but in a competitive environment he cannot expect too much.

For a young striker he needs to prove his value and maybe a compromise could be a loan deal.

Obi has arguably reached the point where another season dominating youth football would not tell the club anything they don't already know.

He needs to play against experienced centre-backs and show he can adapt with goals at senior level.

If Obi goes into the Championship or another competitive senior league and starts scoring, United would have a much clearer idea of whether he can eventually become a first-team striker.

Competition has increased in the first team as Obi would need to force his way into a side where Benjamin Sesko has been the regular centre forward along with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha is another option.

But still if he remains at the club then he could get minutes coming off the bench to prove himself.

Clearly posting his goal on Instagram shows that Obi is in a position where he is trying to convince the club of his value.

The mood at the moment at the club appears to be to clear out academy players who don't have a clear path into the first team.