Man Utd wonderkid, 17, told to prepare for first-team role after 'bullying' opposition

Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones believes teenage starlet Chido Obi should be ready to play a part for the first team this season. The arrival of £74m striker Benjamin Sesko may limit the youngster's opportunities, especially with United failing to qualify for Europe and suffering an early elimination from the Carabao Cup, but Jones still sees him getting chances.

Obi joined United from Arsenal's academy last season and made his debut against Tottenham in February. He played eight times under Ruben Amorim, becoming United's youngest ever Premier League starter when he was named in Amorim's XI to face Brentford in May.

Jones, however, feels the Danish Under-21 international is more than ready for senior football after rising through the ranks. "When he was playing 18s football, it was men against boys. He was bullying people, it was so easy for him," Jones told Metro courtesy of FreeBets.com.

"I think he needs to understand where he is at in his head and figure out what his realistic expectations are. Is he going to play every game? No. Is he going be on the bench every game? No.

"But what he needs to do is make sure that when he is called upon, and there will be times he is called upon and he will get chances, that he is ready and happy. He has to be professional and be ready because if he is they will have one hell of a player."

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Obi has returned to United's Under-21 squad for the early part of the season, with Sesko and fellow new signing Matheus Cunha getting minutes in the No.9 role. The teenager has played three times in Premier League two, starting twice, and scored his second goal of the season to help defeat Manchester City last time out.

United have allowed other strikers to leave on loan, with Rasmus Hojlund joining Napoli in a deal which could become permanent next summer and Ethan Wheatley getting minutes in League One with Northampton Town. Obi, however, has remained at Old Trafford.

Jones' comments come after Denmark Under-21 boss Lars Knudsen made it known that he feels Obi needs regular football. "I can't stand here and say anything about that, because it's somewhere else than with me," Knudsen said, as reported by Bold.

"It's just a hope we have for the national teams, because we know that playing time is crucial. This is both for performance, but also for these young people in terms of developing themselves. Of course, we hope that he will get somewhere where he can play."

Obi wasn't part of Denmark's squad for the Under-21 Euros, where Newcastle forward Will Osula led the line. He is part of Knudsen's first squad for the upcoming break, though, along with United striker Hojlund's younger brother Oscar.

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