Former Arsenal youth player Chido Obi-Martin scored a sensational hat-trick as he started for Manchester United's Under-18 side for the first time.
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Obi-Martin dazzles on Man Utd debutScored a 14-minute hat-trickLeft Arsenal this summerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The 16-year-old forward made his full debut for the Red Devils' youth side against Nottingham Forest on Saturday in a U18 Premier League clash. Obi-Martin netted the opener inside 10 seconds before scoring a second in the fifth minute. The ex-Gunners star completed his hat-trick in the 14th minute from close range to hand his side an excellent start to the game.
AdvertisementWHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING
United fans were delighted to see the 16-year-old making a dream debut for the team as some of them urged the club to immediately promote him to the senior team.
handle Startup ManUtd wrote: "START HIM TOMORROW."
Another fan, with the handle adeyefa_codes felt that the youngster could replace Joshua Zirkzee, writing: "He is going to displace Zirkzee by the end of the season."
ZionRMCF was astonished by Arsenal's decision to let go of a player like Obi-Martin as the post read: "Can’t believe Arsenal let one of their best ever academy products leave."
Privilege MUFC jokingly suggested that the player should be subbed off at half-time so that he can join the senior team for Sunday's Premier League game. The post read: "Should be taken off at halftime so he can travel with the first team to London."
Mohammed A urged the club to tie the player down with a long-term deal similar to Cole Palmer's contract at Chelsea as he wrote: "Give this kid a Cole Palmer 10-year deal."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The teenager rose to prominence last season for his goal-scoring achievements with the Gunners. A seven-goal haul in one game against Norwich ensured he finished the campaign with 28 strikes in the U18 Premier League. Before stepping up to that level, the youngster had scored ten times in a 14-3 win against Liverpool's Under-16s. Despite a dream campaign in north London, he chose to leave Arsenal in the summer and took an offer from United.
WHAT NEXT?
It remains to be seen when Erik ten Hag would consider promoting the young attacker to the senior team. The club will be next seen in action on Sunday against West Ham in the Premier League.