Chido Obi-Martin, a former forward for Arsenal, scored a hat-trick in the first 15 minutes of Saturday’s match against Nottingham Forest to celebrate his complete debut for Manchester United Under 18.
After making a 27-minute cameo against Sunderland last weekend, the 16-year-old, who left the Gunners to join United earlier this month, was rewarded with his first start in the match against Forest at Carrington.
Obi-Martin quickly proved why he should be in the starting lineup after being selected, giving United the lead with just 13 seconds remaining. After jumping on an under-hit pass, he rounded Keehan Willows, the Forest goalie, and tapped into an empty net.
The teenager added his second four minutes later. Obi-Martin scored a low attempt into the bottom corner after Forest failed to clear a cross from the right.
After just 14 minutes, Obi-Martin scored his first goal from inside the box to complete his hat-trick. The Denmark Under 17s international was in the box when James Scanlon’s low cross found him, and he scored his treble within the first quarter of an hour with ease from close range.
Obi-Martin had the chance to score his fourth goal of the match a few minutes later, but his attempt went straight to the goalie. Victor Musa pulled Obi-Martin at halftime with United leading 5-0 after goals from Scanlon and Amir Ibragimov had already been scored. United won 6-0 in the end thanks to a sixth goal from Jim Alec Joseph Thwaites.
Even though United had a flawless afternoon overall, Obi-Martin will undoubtedly take the credit for switching from London to Manchester. “Very happy to sign with this amazing club, time to focus and achieve all my dreams,” he wrote in an Instagram post following the confirmation of his move. I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me thus far.