Man Utd wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin hints at changing mind on future after leaving Arsenal

Manchester United’s young striker, Chido Obi-Martin, was spotted wearing his old England under-16s kit during a Christmas training session, despite now playing for Denmark.

The 17-year-old made two appearances for the Young Lions in a UEFA development tournament in Cyprus last March.

He came on as a second-half substitute in matches against Scotland and the hosts, both of which England won 3-0. Obi-Martin wore the number 23 shirt during these games, and was seen wearing an England shirt with the same number during a Christmas Eve training session.

After the session, he posed for a photo with coaches Garry Richards, Kudus Oyenuga, and West Ham United under-18s player Chukwumeka Obi. Since April 2023, Obi-Martin has represented Denmark, making 26 appearances across their under-16s, under-17s and under-18s teams.

Obi-Martin had the opportunity to play thrice for the Young Lions at a youth tournament in Cyprus, but he didn’t feature in the third game against Denmark. Born in Glostrup, a suburb of Copenhagen, Obi-Marin has a Danish mother and a Nigerian father, making him eligible to represent Nigeria on an international level.

The young player doesn’t have to make a decision until he plays competitive matches for a senior national team. However, in a March interview with Danish online newspaper Bold, he expressed his desire to play for his country of birth.

Paul Aladejare, Arsenal’s ex-head of recruitment from under-12 to under-14, knows Obi-Martin well and believes that the Red Devils have a future gem on their hands.

“He believes he is the best player at his age group in the world,” Aladejare said. “That is his mentality.” Aladejare first encountered Obi-Martin after he had been given a tip-off that two brothers from Denmark had just emigrated to the UK with their family.

“You have to get here right now and man-mark this kid’s mum. There are scouts from every club in London asking who he is and where he has come from.”

And England could join United in benefitting from Obi-Martin’s supreme talent, as Thomas Tuchel will begin considering long-term replacements for Harry Kane.