LONDON (AP) — Manchester United made history on Sunday by naming their youngest starting line-up ever in a Premier League match against Brentford. The team’s coach made eight changes from Thursday’s triumph over Sevilla in the Europa League semi-finals, putting the Europa League first amid a challenging Premier League season.
Seventeen-year-old striker Chido Obi, who recently joined United from Arsenal, took center stage as the youngest player to start for the club in Premier League history, clocking in at just 17 years and 156 days. Obi has appeared as a substitute five times in the league this season but is yet to score.
In addition to Obi, 18-year-old Harry Amass started as a wing-back, while Tyler Fredricson, another under-20 player, was in defense for the second time. United’s starting line-up, which averaged just 22 years and 270 days, reflects a significant shift towards youth, marking their lowest average age in Premier League history, as analyzed by Opta Analyst.
The most experienced player in the squad was 29-year-old Luke Shaw, followed closely by Mason Mount at 26. Back-up goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, at 27, rounded off the more seasoned experience in a game dominated by youth.
Explaining his decision to field a relatively inexperienced team, manager Ruben Amorim stated, “We have always a responsibility to perform, we have always a responsibility for the result. But in this moment we need to be clear: our focus is more on saving players and trying to be competitive.” He insisted that no player at risk of injury would take the field as they diverted attention towards the upcoming Europa League clash at Old Trafford.
Amorim’s strategy reveals an approach committed to long-term vision over short-term performance, evident in his adjustments that aim to preserve player health while still competing in the league. By introducing younger players, the focus may shift towards developing talent, even as the team faces difficulties in their current campaign.
As Manchester United prepares for their second leg against Sevilla, all eyes will be on how their youthful lineup progresses in the tough environment of the Premier League. For Chido Obi, this match is not just a milestone but also an opportunity to showcase his talent on a bigger stage, potentially propelling him into a more permanent role with the first team.
