Manchester United have named their 26-man squad for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao — with teenage striker Chido Obi-Martin included despite being ineligible to play.
Obi-Martin, who is of Nigerian descent but represents Denmark at youth level, travelled with the squad to Spain ahead of Thursday’s fixture.
However, the 17-year-old will not feature in the matchday squad as he was not registered for the knockout phase of the competition, making him unavailable for selection under UEFA rules.
The forward, who only joined United last year, cannot be added to the ‘B list’ used for homegrown players due to the short duration of his stay at the club.
Despite this, he is expected to take part in a training session on Friday along with fellow new recruit Sekou Kone, who is also ineligible for the European tie for the same reasons.
Obi-Martin’s presence on the trip is nonetheless a clear indication of his rising stock at Old Trafford.
Our matchday squad for today’s #UEL semi-final first leg 📋
Chido Obi and Sekou Kone have travelled to the Basque Country but are not eligible to play.#MUFC pic.twitter.com/OWXGFCmycA
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 1, 2025
The prolific teenager has netted 14 goals in 15 appearances across Manchester United’s U-18 and U-21 sides this season.
He has also been handed six senior appearances under head coach Ruben Amorim, although his minutes have been limited.
While he will not take part in Thursday night’s crucial encounter in Bilbao, Obi-Martin’s early return to Manchester could see him in contention for a role in United’s Premier League match against Brentford this weekend.
With injuries and inconsistent form plaguing the first team, the youngster could be handed more opportunities to prove himself as the season nears its conclusion.
United remain determined to salvage their campaign with a strong finish in Europe, and while Obi-Martin won’t be part of this round, his growing involvement signals he may yet play a role before the season ends.
