\n<\/p>\n
Manchester United Under-18 manager Darren Fletcher has given his verdict on Chido Obi, who rejected the chance to stay at Arsenal and moved to Old Trafford in 2024, and has also praised JJ Gabriel.<\/p>\n
Obi moved to Man Utd<\/strong> in the summer of 2024 after leaving Premier League rivals Arsenal.<\/p>\n As reported by The London Evening Standard<\/em> at the time, Arsenal offered Obi \u2018the chance to become a scholar with them\u2019 after his schoolboy terms at the north London club expired.<\/p>\n However, the Denmark Under-21 international striker, who was 16 at the time, \u2018turned down\u2019 the chance to stay at Arsenal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Bayern Munich were interested in Obi in the summer of 2024, but the youngster eventually moved to Man Utd.<\/p>\n Obi was promoted to the Man Utd senior team last season when Ruben Amorim was in charge.<\/p>\n READ: Man Utd \u2018shortlist\u2019 now has Real Sociedad winger who \u2018fits the bill for their new project\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n The exciting striker made eight first-team appearances for Man Utd in the 2024\/25 campaign, but he has failed to make a similar impact this time around.<\/p>\n The 18-year-old has made the Man Utd matchday squad just once this season, and that too as an unused substitute against Wolves in December 2025.<\/p>\n Man Utd Under-18 coach Darren Fletcher<\/strong>though, is not concerned about Obi\u2019s development.<\/p>\n The former Man Utd midfielder has praised the youngster\u2019s attitude while revealing that he wanted to play in an Under-18s game against Manchester City in February.<\/p>\n However, Fletcher has warned that Obi will have to work a lot to make the step-up to the senior side and stay there on a regular basis.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Man Utd internally \u2018discussing\u2019 signing \u2018one of the most exciting young prospects in world football\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Fletcher told BBC Sport<\/em>: \u201cAn Under-21 game was cancelled the day before and Chido messaged me, asking to play.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought it was amazing for Chido to want to play, to not think the Under-18s is beneath him in any way. That just shows how mature he is.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can look at Chido\u2019s size and forget how young he is.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about transferring what he does at under-18 and under-21 football into men\u2019s football. That\u2019s the jump all young players have to make.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s more demanding, it\u2019s more intense, it\u2019s more physical and you have to prepare yourself not just in terms of size, but in terms of thinking, movement, timing, decision making, responsibility out of possession.<\/p>\n \u201cAll the young players will face the same challenge and have to show they\u2019re ready to take that next step.\u201d<\/p>\n Fletcher is busy preparing his Man Utd Under-18 team for the FA Youth Cup final against their Man City counterparts on Thursday.<\/p>\n JJ Gabriel is set to start for Man Utd, and Fletcher has raved about the 15-year-old talent.<\/p>\n Fletcher said: \u201cJJ\u2019s an amazing talent.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is a fantastic kid. He brings an enthusiasm to the pitch every day to learn, to want to play, to be on the ball. He\u2019s desperate to do better, to improve and to learn. He takes constructive criticism well and I\u2019ve got a great relationship with him.<\/p>\n \u201cI do think we need to remember he is a kid and also he\u2019s been part of a really good team, and the players have helped him as well.<\/p>\n \u201cBut JJ has scored the goals and goals always get the limelight. He has a major future and is somebody I\u2019ve enjoyed working with immensely.<\/p>\n \u201cHis next steps are something people above me will decide. We want him to go up there and thrive, so we need to get him in the position to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n READ NEXT: Bruno Fernandes will beat Declan Rice to \u2018PFA Player of the Year next\u2019 after FWA gong<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\nDarren Fletcher\u2019s message to Man Utd striker Chido Obi<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Darren Fletcher praises Man Utd wonderkid JJ Gabriel<\/strong><\/h2>\n