The key role Ruud van Nistelrooy played to help Man Utd snare striker from Arsenal

Ruud van Nistelrooy played a major role in convincing Arsenal youngster Chido Martin Obi to ditch north London and sign for Manchester United, according to a report.

Martin Obi turned heads when he broke the Gunners' record for the most goals scored across a single Under-18s campaign. News of the Red Devils' interest in the 16-year-old, whose contract expired earlier in the summer, recently emerged and iconic striker Van Nistelrooy has been credited with convincing the teenager to move to Old Trafford.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed the former Netherlands international held direct talks with the young prodigy to present him with United's long-term vision, having joined the club's coaching staff under Erik ten Hag earlier this summer.

Arsenal believed they had done enough in laying a potential route to their first team to keep the youngster at the Emirates Stadium for the foreseeable future.

The Daily Mail claim the youngster and his camp wanted him to move into the Under-21s as a reward for his outrageous form which saw him score 32 goals in 18 matches for the Under-18s.

First-team manager Mikel Arteta spoke with the Denmark youth international about sticking around but it's thought United's heftier proposed wage packet and the influence of Van Nistelrooy have proved pivotal in securing his signature.

Martin Obi has already penned his goodbyes to Arsenal, writing on Instagram: "I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everybody at Arsenal for the last four years.

"The experiences and growth I've achieved here have been truly invaluable. A special thanks to the coaches, staff and team-mates at Hale End."

The Gunners' recent difficulty in promoting young stars into the first-team has already seen Amario Cozier-Duberry and Reuell Walters depart this summer, while Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah all look set to move on during the transfer window.