The Danish Under-18 national team manager, Morten Corlin, has expressed his understanding of the criticism aimed at Manchester United for potentially overburdening 17-year-old Chidozie Obi-Martin at such an early stage of his career. Nevertheless, he believes that United possesses the expertise and resources necessary to protect him from the high expectations and properly prepare him for action in the Premier League.
Obi-Martin didn’t make an appearance in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal last Sunday, marking the first time in four matches that he was absent. Had he taken to the pitch, it would most certainly have been a disappointing experience for the Gunners.
While at Arsenal, Obi-Martin made headlines by scoring an astonishing 32 goals in just 20 matches for the Under-18 side. However, he opted to leave the club last summer in search of a more promising route from the academy to first-team football.
Incredible goal-scoring instinct
Given United’s long history of nurturing young talent and integrating them into the senior team, Obi-Martin made the decision to join the Red Devils in October of the previous year.
Since joining, he has netted 12 goals in just nine appearances for the youth team, rapidly advancing from the Academy to the first team. His contributions have been so impactful that United faced backlash for not including him in their Europa League squad.
Morten Corlin has highlighted Obi-Martin’s exceptional skills, noting that they are rare for a player his age. “He’s a classic No 9, remarkably unique in his position; there aren’t many players able to perform at his level. Typically, the best strikers are older than he is,” he remarked.
Intense pressure for a young talent
To date, Obi-Martin has played three times for the United first team, showing promise in each outing. However, the competition for a spot in United’s attacking lineup brings with it immense pressure to consistently perform — a burden also shared by their other young Danish striker, 22-year-old Rasmus Hojlund, who joined from Atalanta for £73 million last summer.
Hojlund has struggled to find his scoring touch, enduring a barren spell of 20 consecutive matches, which has led to criticism from both the Manchester media and fans, with the weight of expectation heavily resting on him.
In Denmark, there has been significant backlash against United for exerting undue pressure on Hojlund too soon, which could also pose a challenge for Obi-Martin if he fails to find the back of the net.
“Rasmus is still a young player. Manchester United should take a hard look at themselves for buying a developing talent and expecting him to deliver in such a poorly structured team. Rasmus has no reason to feel ashamed of his performances; the blame lies squarely with United,” remarked David Nielsen, the current coach of Horsens and a respected figure in Danish football, in an interview with TV2 Sport.
“United create their own pressure with Hojlund’s price tag”
Corlin acknowledges the backlash but maintains that the intense competition of first-team football in a league as esteemed as the Premier League can be advantageous for Obi-Martin’s growth at such a formative stage. He stresses that United is well-equipped to guide young talents into senior football.
“Manchester United have added pressure on themselves due to the fee they paid for Rasmus. You don’t typically spend that amount and then leave a player warming the bench. David Nielsen raises a valid point about Rasmus facing a tough period. However, as long as United supports him through this process, it’s beneficial,” explains Corlin.
“The opportunities that Chidozie receives in the first team will immensely aid his development, but there also needs to be a framework in place to support him as he adjusts to this phase. Overall, it’s fantastic that he has the chance to showcase his talent on such a significant platform.”
Corlin noted that the Danish Football Association maintains regular contact with United to ensure that Obi-Martin’s development remains on the right path, especially considering the considerable pressure he faces.
“What happens if they sign another striker?”
“He currently has the opportunity to play for the first team, but there’s always a risk that United might recruit another striker this summer. If that happens, he might have to revert to the Under-18s or Under-21s, which could be difficult for a young player to cope with.”
“It’s easy to think everything is within reach when you’re young, but if you go through a tough patch, it’s crucial for both the club and his family to provide mental support. You can hope he scores right from the outset, but that’s an unrealistic expectation. I hope the club grants him the time and patience necessary,” adds Corlin.
Just as Corlin emphasises the need for United to afford Obi-Martin the space and time to succeed in the Premier League, he also highlights the importance of the young striker managing his own expectations.
“Strikers are unique; their success is often gauged purely by goals scored, even though their contribution may extend beyond that. It’s perhaps best if they don’t dwell too much on missed opportunities, and I believe he handles that aspect quite well,” he concludes.
“I think it was Roger Federer who mentioned he won about 80% of his tennis matches, but if you look at the points, he only actually won just above 50%. So, it’s crucial to understand that even as a top athlete, success isn’t guaranteed.”
Obi-Martin will have another opportunity to showcase his talent when United takes on Leicester away this Sunday evening.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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