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Manchester United plans to be “patient” with Chido Obi-Martin as the 16-year-old striker will need time to “get his fitness up to speed and settle into his new environment.”
Obi-Martin was officially confirmed as a Red Devil last week after his move from Arsenal was ratified by the Premier League.
The Danish striker had agreed to move from the Emirates to Old Trafford in July as his contract with the London club expired, but league regulations regarding youth players delayed the transfer until the end of September.
Obi-Martin gained recognition at a young age after scoring ten goals for Arsenal in a youth match last season. Known as one of the most talented prospects in the country, the 16-year-old attracted interest from multiple clubs, including United, this summer.
Although Arsenal wanted Obi-Martin to sign a new contract and he had offers from the Bundesliga, he ultimately chose Manchester as the next step in his career.
Under the new ownership of INEOS, Manchester United has been prioritizing the pursuit of promising academy players. Obi-Martin joins Samuel Lusale (Crystal Palace), James Overy (Perth Glory), and Sekou Kone (Guidars FC) in this approach.
Due to the delayed move to Manchester, Obi-Martin has been training without a club for the past three months. While he has been working with a coach on individual sessions, this form of training has its limitations.
According to Steve Railston of Manchester Evening News, a source at Old Trafford revealed that Obi-Martin is essentially going through a pre-season now, indicating that fans may have to wait to see him play for the academy.
The club plans to take a patient approach with the young striker, ensuring he is fully prepared before playing competitive matches. Similar treatment was given to Kone, although Obi-Martin has missed more game time.
Railston describes Obi-Martin as one of the most exciting young talents in Europe, and his acquisition from a direct Premier League rival is considered a significant achievement for United.
Expressing his excitement on social media, Obi-Martin stated that joining the Red Devils is a dream come true for him.
United intends to gradually integrate the new striker into life at Old Trafford before unleashing him on academy defenses across the country.
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