Ruben Amorim has suggested that Chido Obi could be in line for his first Manchester United start in the near future following his eye-catching performance off the bench against Fulham. The 17-year-old provided one of the few bright spots for United in their FA Cup exit, showcasing his potential as a first-team option.

Obi, who joined United from Arsenal last summer, made just his third senior appearance for the club and came close to marking it with a goal. The young forward had three notable opportunities—dragging one shot wide from a tight angle, narrowly missing another from close range, and forcing a strong save from Bernd Leno.

His 52-minute cameo produced more goal-scoring chances than Rasmus Hojlund has managed in 22 Premier League appearances this season. The Danish striker continues to struggle for form, extending his goal drought to 18 matches across all competitions.

With a crucial Europa League tie against Real Sociedad looming, Amorim faces a major selection dilemma. When asked if Obi could replace Hojlund in the starting lineup, the United boss remained open-minded. “Anything can happen in the next games,” he said. “We don’t have much time to train, but we need to assess the opposition and the physical condition of our players. My focus is always on the next match, and I will select the best players to win.”

As United look to rediscover their attacking edge, Obi’s breakthrough moment could be just around the corner

The decision-making process behind Manchester United’s penalty takers has come under scrutiny following their FA Cup exit at the hands of Fulham. Manager Ruben Amorim has shed light on why Victor Lindelof took a pivotal spot-kick and hinted at possible changes to his attacking lineup.

United’s hopes of defending their FA Cup title ended in heartbreak after a dramatic penalty shootout at Old Trafford. After a 1-1 draw in regulation time—courtesy of Bruno Fernandes’ late equalizer following Calvin Bassey’s opener—extra time failed to produce a winner. The subsequent shootout saw Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee miss crucial penalties, allowing Fulham to progress as Bernd Leno denied both attempts.

With Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, and Casemiro all converting their penalties, many were surprised to see centre-back Lindelof take the fourth spot-kick ahead of more attack-minded players. Addressing the controversial choice, Amorim stated, “Victor was extremely confident and has been excellent in training. He’s been scoring consistently in practice, so it was a natural decision.”

Beyond the penalty drama, Manchester United’s striking options remain a growing concern. First-choice forward Rasmus Hojlund extended his goal drought to 18 consecutive games, failing to convert a promising opportunity early in the first half against Fulham. Despite latching onto a low cross from Christian Eriksen, the Danish striker fired wide, struggling to make an impact before being substituted in the second half.

Hojlund’s lack of goals—just seven in 35 appearances this season, with his last strike coming in December—has intensified calls for a change up front. His replacement, teenage talent Chido Obi, offered a lively display in his brief cameo, crafting multiple chances and nearly finding the net in extra time, only to be thwarted by a superb Leno save.

With a crucial Europa League last-16 clash against Real Sociedad and a Premier League showdown with Arsenal looming, Amorim was asked about the potential for a tactical switch in attack. “Anything is possible in the coming games,” he admitted. “We have limited training time, so decisions will depend on our opponents and the physical condition of our players with the tight schedule.”

When pressed on whether United’s squad has enough firepower, the Portuguese manager acknowledged the issue. “Yes, we are struggling to score. Even against Ipswich, we mainly created danger from set-pieces. The key is generating more opportunities, and today we did that. Now, we must improve our finishing to support our forwards and help them regain confidence.”

As the Red Devils navigate a demanding fixture list, Amorim’s next selection decisions could prove crucial in turning around United’s attacking fortunes.

Ruben Amorim believes Harry Maguire is deserving of an England recall and has backed the Manchester United defender to play a key leadership role under new Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel.

Maguire, who faced uncertainty at Old Trafford after losing the captaincy and being linked with a move to West Ham, has reestablished himself as a crucial figure in Amorim’s defensive setup. His resurgence was highlighted by a decisive headed goal against Ipswich on Wednesday night.

The 31-year-old, who has been instrumental in England’s recent major tournament runs—including a World Cup semi-final and a European Championship final—missed last summer’s Euros due to injury. As Tuchel prepares to announce his first squad next Friday, Maguire will be hoping to add to his 64 international caps in upcoming fixtures against Latvia and Albania.

“If he gets the call-up, I’ll be really happy for him. I think he absolutely deserves it,” Amorim said.

“He’s a fantastic person and a top professional. Of course, there’s always room for improvement in every player, but right now, his performances have been very strong.

“You can see he has grown into an even bigger leader, and that kind of presence can be a huge asset to the national team. I hope he’s part of the squad for the upcoming games.”

Despite losing the United captaincy to Bruno Fernandes, Maguire remains a respected figure at the club. Last week, he attended a charity dinner in Manchester for the Michael Carrick Foundation, showing his support alongside football icons like Wayne Rooney and Jill Scott.

With Tuchel looking to reshape England’s squad, Maguire’s recent form and leadership qualities could make him a key asset for the national team once again.