Chido Obi-Martin, a 17-year-old striker, has openly admitted to regretting his decision to leave Arsenal for Manchester United. Despite securing a financially attractive deal with the Red Devils, the young forward has found himself struggling to make the breakthrough into the senior team, leading to mounting frustration over his current situation. His hopes of gaining more first-team opportunities at Old Trafford have not materialized as expected, leaving him disillusioned with his choice to switch clubs.
Obi-Martin made the move to Manchester United in July 2024 after becoming increasingly uncertain about his future at Arsenal. Although he had agreed to a new contract with the North London club, he remained skeptical about his prospects of breaking into the first team. He was unsure about the club’s long-term vision and whether he would play a significant role in it. With these doubts weighing on him, he sought a fresh start elsewhere. At the time, Manchester United appeared to offer a more promising pathway to senior football. The club was facing financial limitations and a shortage of young, talented players ready to step up. This, combined with a lucrative contract, convinced Obi-Martin that a move to Old Trafford would provide him with the best opportunity to accelerate his development and establish himself at the top level.
However, his expectations have not been met since joining United. Under the management of Rúben Amorim, the club has been enduring a turbulent season, struggling in the Premier League and currently positioned as low as 15th in the table. Injuries to key players have exacerbated the situation, forcing Amorim to turn to youth players more frequently. Given these circumstances, Obi-Martin initially hoped he would be given the opportunity to prove himself at the senior level. Yet, despite the team’s difficulties, he has remained largely on the fringes, unable to break into the first-team squad.
Instead, Obi-Martin has been limited to appearances in the club’s youth ranks, where he has displayed his immense potential. In the FA Youth Cup, he has been particularly impressive, scoring seven goals in just three matches. One of his standout performances came in a 5-1 victory over Chelsea’s U18s, where he netted a remarkable hat-trick. While his contributions at the youth level have been significant, he remains frustrated by his lack of senior involvement.
Now, looking back on his decision to leave Arsenal, Obi-Martin finds himself questioning whether the move to Manchester United was the right one. His anticipated progression into first-team football has not gone according to plan, and his frustration continues to grow as he watches his chances of making an impact at the highest level slip away.
