LONDON — On Sunday, Chido Obi made history as the youngest player to ever start a Premier League match for Manchester United. At just 17 years and 156 days old, Obi took to the field as the leading striker in a clash against Brentford.
Obi, who represents Denmark at the youth level, transferred to Manchester United from Arsenal last year. Prior to this match, he had appeared in five league games as a substitute this season. His start against Brentford marked his first time in the starting lineup.
Obi played the entire game, although he did not manage to get on the scoresheet, keeping his record of scoring for the senior team still pending.
The match against Brentford came between Manchester United’s Europa League semifinal encounters with Athletic Bilbao. As a result, the team was heavily rotated, with the lineup featuring an average age of 22 years and 270 days.
Statistics from Opta reveal this was the third youngest team ever fielded in a Premier League match in terms of average age.
In the Europa League, United secured a commanding 3-0 win against Athletic Bilbao in the first leg held in Spain.