Why is Obi not in Man Utd’s Europa League squad?

Chido Obi, 17, is being considered as a potential solution to Manchester United’s goalscoring problems, but the teenager will not play in the team’s Europa League last-16 first-leg against Real Sociedad on Thursday.

Danish international Willie is “ineligible for the competition” and will not play for United this year in Europe.

Obi, age 15, signed for Arsenal’s academy last October.

Following a number of injuries and a lack of forward options with Marcus Rashford and Antony sent on loan in January, he was selected for United’s first team squad after scoring a hat-trick in a 5-1 FA Youth Cup victory over Chelsea on February 12.

In a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham, he made his first senior appearance as a substitute, becoming United’s third-youngest Premier League player ever.

In the second-half of the FA Cup match against Fulham on penalties, Obi made his third appearance on Sunday, reversing his previous performance by Obi.

Due to their financial constraints, United’s only hope is winning the Europa League, which will determine their chances of winning both this and next European football.

By the Uefa deadline of February 6 before the knockout round’s start, clubs were able to add three new players to their European squads.

In order to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad, United signed Patrick Dorgu and 18-year-old Ayden Heaven in January.

Amorim said Obi was a forward who might have a chance in the offseason, but at that time Amorim was not considering him as a senior player.

Clubs can add players to their “B” list at any time up to 2300 GMT the day before a game in addition to increasing to 25 players on the “A” list.

Anyone on the “B” list who has played for the organization they belong to either for two consecutive years after the player’s 15th birthday or for two of their three if the player has previously spent time on loan at another club.

Obi did not meet the requirements because he only joined United from Arsenal in October.

Premier League regulations change because there is an “Under 21” list that is separate from the 25-man squad list.