How Chido emerged as a highlight in Hong Kong

At least a campaign that began in Norway on 15 July - a day after the European Championship final - ended on a positive note.

The Reds came from behind to beat Hong Kong, China 3-1, with Chido Obi’s two-goal contribution from the bench the real individual highlight.

We all know how dangerous the Denmark youth international can be at Academy level.

Obi terrorised defences at Under-18 level with Arsenal and did not let up following his summer move to United.

It’s hard to ignore a player for too long when they’re scoring 15-minute hat-tricks and, from the early months of this year, Obi has been a part of Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad.

While Chido has shown glimpses of ability in his senior outings, it’s difficult to make an impression as a forward when you’re only playing a couple of minutes here and there.

So it was cheering to see the 17-year-old grasp his opportunity in Hong Kong, especially after seeing him intensely conversing with coach Darren Fletcher on the way back to the dressing room at half-time.

It had been a frustrating first half for the Reds, as we trailed to Juninho’s goal, despite dominating proceedings.

The teenager soon changed that, obviously taking Fletch’s advice on board.

His opening goal was finished supremely well, as he conjured space in the box and wrapped a left-footed shot beyond the goalkeeper.

He then quickly recovered from a headed miss to nod home Mason Mount’s cross – a different type of goal to the first but equally as cold-blooded and clinical, traits Amorim has repeatedly said United need to discover.

Chido didn’t look done there and the manner in which he was harrying the opposition defenders in the closing stages belied the overall pace of the game, suggesting he wouldn’t be satisfied with anything less than a hat-trick.

Of course, there has to be a caveat about the opposition and the nature of the game, while Ruben warned about the dangers of building up young talent too early.

“Of course, it's a good feeling, but he needs to continue to train really hard because the Premier League is a different world,” he said.

“It's important for us to control these kids, to show them to be a professional in Manchester United it's really hard to maintain the level.”

However, after a chastening few months, Obi and his Academy team-mates can perhaps provide supporters with that little glimmer to look forward to when United hit the road again in July to prepare for 2025/26.

That date might seem a long way away now, but it will arrive before we know it.

There’s lots of work to do between now and then, by everyone associated with the club, but the great thing about football is that it’s never over – not even when you’ve finished 15th in the league and experienced Europa League final heartbreak.

There’s always more of it to come, with the promise that things can get better.

And Chido has made a good case to be involved when it does.