Manchester United legend Andy Cole has backed 17-year-old Chido Obi to carve out a successful career at Old Trafford, highlighting the young striker’s fearlessness and natural goal-scoring ability.
Since joining United from Arsenal last year, Obi has thrived at the academy level, netting 12 goals in just nine appearances for the club’s Under-18s. His recent promotion to the senior squad has seen him feature in United’s last three games, including a promising FA Cup cameo against Fulham.
Introduced as a second-half substitute, Obi made an immediate impact, unsettling defender Calvin Bassey and nearly securing a dramatic late winner in stoppage time. However, his goal-bound effort was sensationally saved by Fulham’s Bernd Leno, and United ultimately bowed out on penalties.
Despite the team’s disappointment, Obi’s performance didn’t go unnoticed. Football greats Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney were among those praising the youngster’s confidence and attacking threat. With United struggling for goals—Rasmus Højlund enduring an 18-game drought and Joshua Zirkzee managing just one goal since early December—calls for Obi to start in the Premier League are growing louder.
Cole, a key figure in United’s 1999 treble-winning side, believes the teenager has a genuine chance to break through. Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s “Rio Presents” YouTube channel, he said: “When you’re raw and 17, you have no fear. I looked at him yesterday… He’s definitely got a chance. My nephew worked with him and said: ‘Yeah man, he’s got a chance.’”
Ferdinand agreed but acknowledged Obi is still developing. “He’s rough around the edges, as he should be. But I have no doubt he will get chances. I’ve seen him play against my two boys, and the way he played yesterday was exactly the same. He’s not always in the game, but when the ball drops, he’s there.”
Shearer, covering the FA Cup match as a pundit, was equally impressed. “He’s been a real handful in there. He certainly offered more than Højlund when he was on the pitch. He’s been a nuisance and tough to play against. I really like what I see from Obi—he’s a different option.”
Though Obi remains ineligible for United’s Europa League ties against Real Sociedad, he could be in line for another first-team opportunity when the Red Devils take on his former club Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.