Chido Obi among three Man Utd kids braced to leave Old Trafford in January transfer after impressing for U21s

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Chido Obi among three Man Utd kids braced to leave Old Trafford in January transfer after impressing for U21s

CHIDO OBI could be one of three youngsters to leave Manchester United on loan in January.

Ruben Amorim said in hindsight it was “too soon” for Obi to play eight first-team games last season after the wonderkid signed from Arsenal’s academy in November 2024.

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Chido Obi has enjoyed a strong start to the season for the U21sCredit: Getty

Ayden Heaven has shown plenty of promise under Ruben AmorimCredit: Shutterstock

This time last year, there was talk of the newly turned 17-year-old striker breaking United’s youngest goalscorer record.

But after signing Benjamin Sesko in the summer, Amorim thought it was best to place Obi with the Under-21s for the 2025-26 season to continue learning additional aspects of being a No9 besides goals.

Obi has impressed for Travis Binnion’s side this term, with five goals in 13 games and his hold-up play and link-up improving all the time.

United are open to sending Obi out on loan in January to continue his development by gaining more first team minutes in the EFL or National League.

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The club are happy with how the majority of their loan deals have worked out for the first half of the season, as they assess how to approach the second.

First team matchday squad member and former Hale End youth star Ayden Heaven’s situation is also likely to be assessed.

The 19-year-old defender has shown plenty of promise under Amorim, but he has played just 158 minutes this season and was an unused sub in Sunday’s 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.

The teenager has made two senior appearances in the Prem this term, during the 1-1 draw at Fulham and also coming on in the 4-2 win over Brighton, when he brilliantly assisted Bryan Mbeumo‘s second goal.

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United only having one game a week – after failing to qualify for Europe and exiting the Carabao Cup early – has put a major roadblock in Heaven’s development path.

Lisandro Martinez’s return to the pitch at Selhurst Park pushes Heaven down to third-choice left centre back, behind the World Cup winner and Luke Shaw.

And his place on the bench could even be at risk once Harry Maguire is fit again in the coming weeks.

Heaven got a run out in Binnion’s U21s side 4-1 defeat at Solihull Moors, which confirmed United’s exit from the National League Cup.

Full-back Diego Leon could also be shipped out in the New Year.

Leon, 18, arrived last summer in a deal worth up to £7m, and said he had no intention of going out on loan.

But the Paraguayan – who is with Binnion’s side this year – is still waiting for his competitive debut and is now open to a temporary switch away from Carrington.

Diego Leon (middle) trains with the first-team regularly but plays for the U21sCredit: Getty

Goalkeeper Radek Vitek and full-back Harry Amass are both excelling in the Championship at Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday respectively and look capable of making the step into United’s first-team squad in the summer.

Despite United’s obvious problems at left wing-back, the club deem it best for Amass to continue developing on loan at Hillsborough.

England U20 striker Ethan Wheatley, 19, has scored three goals and provided two assists in 17 league games for League One side Northampton Town.

Midfielders Ethan Ennis and Dan Gore have started plenty of games at Fleetwood and Rotherham respectively.

Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey, 18, are believed to be the most likely candidates to step in during AFCON after being named in recent Prem matchday squads.