Manchester United’s injury-hit squad needs all the help it can get, yet former Arsenal prospect Chido Obi has been left out of their Europa League squad entirely.
Manchester United have suffered a fresh selection blow after Chido Martin Obi was left out of their Europa League squad, making him ineligible for their last-16 tie against Real Sociedad and the remainder of the competition should they progress.
The 17-year-old forward, who joined United from Arsenal last year, has unexpectedly become an important figure under Rúben Amorim, with the club’s ongoing injury crisis forcing the teenager into senior action sooner than anticipated.
Obi was named in the squad for Sunday’s FA Cup clash against Fulham, where United’s substitutes’ bench had two empty spots due to the shortage of available players.
Despite United’s lack of attacking options, the striker has been excluded from both UEFA’s A List and B List squads, meaning he is unavailable for the Europa League knockout rounds.
United’s initial European squad was submitted in September, before Obi’s transfer from Arsenal was officially ratified. While clubs can revise their squads ahead of the knockout stage, United opted to include Patrick Dorgu and former Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven, leaving Obi unregistered.
UEFA’s B List regulations require players to have been at their club for an uninterrupted period of at least two years, ruling out Obi from selection under that criterion.
The omission highlights the unexpected nature of his rise at Old Trafford. Over the summer, speculation suggested United were signing him as a third-choice striker for 2024/25, a claim that seemed far-fetched given he had never started an under-21 game. However, he has already made two Premier League appearances and featured in the FA Cup, proving a valuable option for Amorim.
It was reported in November that Obi would receive a substantial financial package upon turning 17, with The Athletic claiming he is set to earn weekly wages in the tens of thousands after signing his first professional contract.
The same report suggested Obi left Arsenal for United in search of a clearer pathway to first-team football, though the financial incentives also played a role in his decision.
However, his exclusion from the Europa League squad raises questions about United’s long-term planning and whether his early introduction to senior football was by design or necessity.