Alan Shearer seriously impressed with Chido Obi’s performance for Manchester United against Fulham

Manchester United are out of the FA Cup after losing on penalties to Fulham on Sunday afternoon.

Ineos want Europa League football for the next four years but any chance of hitting that goal for next season is hanging by a thread.

United have a tough Europa League draw, sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table and are now out of the FA Cup.

United hosted Fulham for a place in the quarter finals but fell behind as Calvin Bassey glanced home from a set piece.

Bruno Fernandes hit back for United, drilling home a low strike which ended up taking the game to penalties.

Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had their penalties saved though as United crash out in the fifth round – and will not retain the FA Cup.

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

Alan Shearer on Chido Obi

United did carve out some chances at 1-1 with substitute Chido Obi looking sharp.

The teenager forced Bernd Leno into one superb save as he went close to winning the game for United.

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Obi joined from Arsenal over the summer and certainly impressed United fans, offering more than compatriot Rasmus Hojlund in the United attack.

Obi was praised by Amorim after his Premier League debut against Tottenham Hotspur in February and he certainly showed glimpses of why he is so highly rated.

Pundit Alan Shearer was on co-commentary duty for BBC Sport and offered praise for Obi’s performance.

Shearer claimed that Obi was a ‘real handful’ and ‘certainly’ offered more than Hojlund during his time on the pitch.

Shearer – who knows a thing or two about great centre forward play – added that Obi was a ‘nuisance’ to play against and really liked what he saw from the teenager.

“He’s been a real handful in there you know,” said Shearer. (02/03, 6:50pm)

“He’s certainly offered a lot more than Hojlund has when he was on the pitch. He’s been a nuisance and tough to play against.

“I like what I see from Obi, I really do. He’s certainly given them a different option to play with,” he added.

Chido Obi knocking on the United door

Obi doesn’t necessarily look ready for this level of football but he poses a threat inside the box – and that’s something Hojlund can not say for himself.

Hojlund has now reached 18 games in all competitions without a goal and did not look any more threatening against Fulham.

Obi is raw and unpolished but he gave Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey something to think about whilst testing Leno.

The 17-year-old is now giving Ruben Amorim something to think about having looked more lively than Hojlund.

United have big games to come and with Joshua Zirkzee preferred in a deeper role, Obi is knocking on the door – and may force his way into Amorim’s starting XI sooner or later.

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