Forgotten Man Utd youngster sends message to Michael Carrick – & proves Amorim wrong

Manchester United starlet Chido Obi is one of those rare wonderkids that you’re well aware of long before they break into the first team.

The story was irresistible. A dead-eyed sharp-shooter who’d racked up literally hundreds of goals at youth level stolen right from under Arsenal’s noses.

Everything seemed to be going to plan when Amorim regularly called upon the Denmark Under-20 international in the run-in last season. He’d not even yet turned 18.

But the path to the top is rarely linear, and this season he’s yet to play a minute for United’s first team. Only once has he even been named in a matchday squad.

There was a particularly awkward moment in which Amorim explicitly mentioned Obi’s youth team record this season, alongside what felt like an unnecessary dig at Sheffield Wednesday loanee Harry Amass.

“Of course. He’s not playing so many games, but Kobbie has had opportunities, especially last year. Everyone has,” Amorim told reporters.

“Amass is now struggling in Championship. Chido is not always a starter in the Under-21s.”

Whatever the truth and validity of his words, Amorim singling out young players felt like a major PR own goal. You can imagine the word ‘optics’ being thrown around in the United boardroom.

After Amorim’s words caused a stir, Obi responded by posting a picture of himself celebrating a goal for the Under-21s on Instagram.

A thoroughly modern football tet-a-tet, with tabloids seemingly obligated to describe the post as “a cryptic message”, Amorim later doubled down on the criticism – accusing the younger players of “entitlement”.

“I think it is the feeling of entitlement that we have in our club,” the Portuguese coach said.

“Sometimes strong words are not bad words. Sometimes difficult moments are not a bad thing for the kids. We don’t need to be always with accolades in everything, in every situation.

“We are not helping, that is why you guys [the media] talk about a lot of players, nowadays they speak and go against the club because they feel entitlement.”

It was never a good look for a bloke in his forties to be beefing with a teenager, while Obi himself has taken the high road.

“Thanks for everything gaffer, especially allowing me to make my debut for such a big club,” posted Obi following the news of Amorim’s sacking.

“Wish you all the best.”

There’s every chance those words were entirely empty, but it showed maturity. Line drawn. Move on.