Chido Obi-Martin showed Arsenal what they’re missing by dazzling in his first start for Manchester United U18s with a first-half hat-trick.
The 16-year-old signed for United at the end of September after emerging as an exciting prospect at Premier League rivals Arsenal.
It took Obi-Martin just 13 seconds to score his first United goal@MarcusKnowsBall X
Obi-Martin scored an incredible 32 goals for the Young Gunners in the U18 Premier League last season, with this tally a joint-league record for a single campaign in the competition’s history.
Amazingly, seven of those came in a 9-0 win over Norwich City and he also netted five in another match, as well as four in two others.
United came calling ahead of the 2024/25 season, tempting him away from a rival academy, and Obi-Martin made his first appearance for their U18s side last weekend.
But the teenager was quick to impress in his first start for the Red Devils on Saturday in a thumping 6-0 win over Nottingham Forest – as he scored half of their goals.
Obi-Martin opened the scoring with a staggering 13 seconds on the clock – rounding the goalkeeper following a loose pass in the Forest defence.
His second of the match, a low finish into the bottom-left corner of the goal, was scored just moments later.
United’s star youth signing then completed his stunning hat-trick in only the 14th minute with a close-range finish.
Having already made such a huge impact on the match, Obi-Martin was substituted before the start of the second-half.
James Scanlon, Amir Ibragimov and Jim Alec Joseph Thwaites also netted in the win, but the ex-Arsenal youngster stole the show.
United sit top of the North group with a 100 per cent record and 32 goals scored across seven matches.
Obi-Martin had United 3-0 up with just five minutes played@MarcusKnowsBall X
He sealed his treble before the halfway point of the first-half@MarcusKnowsBall X
Obi-Martin has carried his Arsenal scoring form into United@MarcusKnowsBall X
Obi-Martin’s three goals have already put him joint-fourth alongside Thwaites in their U18 side’s scoring charts.
Should he continue his excellent form in front of goal, he could be in with a shout of featuring for the first-team this season.
United have Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee as their current striker or centre-forward options, with Marcus Rashford also able to play there.
Obi-Martin, who has also scored 16 goals at youth level for Denmark, could follow in the footsteps of local hero Rashford and be offered the chance to impress in cup competitions.
His opportunity may most likely come when United enter the FA Cup, with the club having an immense young talent in their ranks.
Rashford made his first-team debut at the age of 18 in the Europa League, with the England star never looking back after his double against FC Midtjylland in 2016.
