Chido Obi-Martin arrives for medical ahead of signing for Man United

Chido Obi-Martin has arrived in Manchester to complete a medical after the 16-year-old forward agreed to join the Red Devils from Premier League rivals Arsenal last month.

Dharmesh Sheth (Sky Sports) states the Danish youngster will finalise his move after a “medical with United” as terms are “agreed with the player after he left Arsenal.”

Tweet: “Chido Obi-Martin in Manchester ahead of medical with United. Terms agreed with the player after he left Arsenal. Obi-Martin chose United ahead of staying with Arsenal or moving to Germany. It’s understood the offers from German clubs were superior to United’s terms. #MUFC”

Sheth reveals Obi-Martin received interest from clubs in Germany with efforts made by Arsenal to keep their record-breaking goal scorer as well. However, Obi-Martin “chose United” ahead of these options.

Interestingly, Sheth relays that the offers proposed to the Dane “from German clubs were superior to United’s terms.”

This, firstly, underscores how highly-rated Obi-Martin is throughout European football and, secondly, demonstrates just how effective United’s courtship of the striker was, with the prospect of a route to first-team football a genuine possibility.

The Red Devils led the Premier League for minutes given to teenage players last season, beating out Brighton & Hove Albion in second place.

Erik ten Hag entrusted his youngsters with 4,919 minutes across the year. Mikel Arteta, by comparison, played a lone teenager (Ethan Nwaneri) for 13 minutes – the lowest in the league.

It makes sense, therefore, why Obi-Martin chose to swap the Emirates for Old Trafford given the faith his new club are willing to place in their academy players.

A report relayed by The Peoples Person even revealed United believed the 16-year-old was ready for first-team duties now, with Fabrizio Romano contending Obi-Martin will be “considered the third striker” at Old Trafford.

There are only two senior centre-forwards in Ten Hag’s squad, Rasmus Hojlund (21) and new signing Joshua Zirkzee (23), leaving a spot for Obi-Martin to fill this season, with further additions up front considered unlikely due to the club’s constrained transfer budget.

And with Hojlund set to be ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury, Obi-Martin’s first-team debut may come sooner then later. Which makes it evident why the Danish starlet was so keen on joining United, despite the prospect of better offers abroad.

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