Reasons for Obi-martin absence from Forest clash

Manchester United's manager, Ruben Amorim, announced that Chidozie Obi-Martins did not participate in the match against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, as it was decided he would compete in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals instead.

The Denmark U-21 player, of Nigerian heritage, joined Manchester United last summer after opting to leave Arsenal's academy.

Obi-Martins made his debut for the first team as a late substitute during Manchester United's 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on February 16.

At just 17 years old, he has since appeared in three additional matches for the senior team, with his latest outing occurring against Leicester City prior to the international break.

Amorim confirmed that the decision was made for Obi-Martins to participate in the FA Youth Cup semi-final against Aston Villa.

Before the semi-final, Amorim addressed the media, stating, “He is going to play because we need to consider the upcoming games. Previously, he was on the bench and only played for 10 minutes against Fulham at the end of the match. We must manage his playing time and ensure he gets sufficient minutes.”

He added, “It is crucial for our young players to experience the energy of the game. We are committed to winning this competition and developing our youth. Academy players possess a strong desire to win, which is beneficial for us.”

“Thus, we are balancing everything, and it is essential for Chido to play as well, so we are supporting both the team and the player.”