Manchester United Loan Chido Obi to Willem II for Season

The window slammed shut in England at 11pm on Tuesday. Manchester United still found room for one more outgoing deal.

United have confirmed that 18-year-old forward Chido Obi has agreed a season-long loan move to Dutch side Willem II, subject to registration.

English clubs had to finish their business by Tuesday night, but the Eredivisie market stayed open a little longer, with Dutch sides allowed to trade until midnight on Wednesday. United used that extra 24 hours to secure Obi’s temporary switch, announcing the agreement a day after the Premier League deadline.

Obi, one of the brightest attacking prospects in the academy, made his senior United debut in February 2025 against Tottenham and has since collected eight first-team appearances. Last season he led the line for the Under-21s, hitting 15 goals in 31 games and underlining why the club see him as a long-term project.

This summer, though, has been about minutes and development. Obi becomes the latest youngster to head out on loan in what has turned into a major reshaping of United’s academy ranks.

Deadline Day Activity

On deadline day itself, midfielder Jack Moorhouse agreed a loan move to Dundee, with confirmation of his switch arriving on Wednesday evening. Earlier in the window, Ethan Wheatley, Jacob Devaney and Jayce Fitzgerald also departed on temporary deals, each sent out to test themselves in senior football.

Sales and Departures

United have not just relied on loans. They have cashed in on several academy graduates as well. Toby Collyer ended his Old Trafford spell with a move to West Brom, a deal that could bring in up to £7.6 million. Highly rated goalkeeper Radek Vitek joined promotion-chasing Middlesbrough in a transfer potentially worth as much as £14m.

By the close of the summer, 26 players had left United, either permanently or on loan. The club wanted to drive that number higher in terms of sales, hoping to raise more significant funds by moving on those considered surplus to requirements.

They managed a clear-out on paper. The harder question now is whether this reshaped squad – and a crop of youngsters scattered across Europe – will give United the flexibility and firepower they wanted for the season ahead.