Manchester United have officially confirmed that 17-year-old Nigerian forward Chido Obi will not be available for selection in Thursday’s UEFA Europa League match against Real Sociedad due to ineligibility.
The young striker, who has been making notable progress in United’s youth system and recently joined first-team training, was not registered for the competition in line with UEFA’s squad regulations.
Under UEFA rules, clubs must submit an ‘A list’ of eligible players before the knockout stages of European tournaments, with an allowance to add up to three new players who meet the necessary criteria. Obi, however, was not included in this list.
Additionally, the ‘B list’ rule permits clubs to register young, homegrown players who have spent at least two consecutive years with the club. Since Obi only joined United from Arsenal in October 2024, he does not meet this requirement either.
While Obi remains unavailable, United have confirmed that Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven are eligible for the squad. Dorgu, a promising full-back, has been included despite serving a domestic suspension following a recent red card in the Premier League. His ban does not extend to European competitions, making him an option for the clash against Real Sociedad.
Similarly, young center-back Ayden Heaven has been registered and could play a role in United’s defensive setup for the match.
Obi’s absence comes at a time when United’s attacking options are already stretched due to injuries and squad rotations. The Nigerian youngster might have been considered as an attacking alternative off the bench, but manager Ruben Amorim will now have to look elsewhere as his side aims for a strong performance in the first leg of their Europa League knockout tie.
Manchester United will take on Real Sociedad on Thursday in a crucial fixture for their European ambitions.
