"Retired, made it," Manchester United legend warns Chido Obi-Martin

Posted : 06 March 2025

Former Manchester United and England striker Andy Cole has offered advice to Nigeria-eligible teenager Chido Obi-Martin on how to succeed at Old Trafford. The 17-year-old forward made his mark during his FA Cup appearance against Fulham, coming on in the 67th minute. Despite Manchester United's disappointing performance, Obi-Martin caught the attention of fans and critics alike with his confident display.

Obi-Martin, who joined Manchester United from Arsenal last summer, has already begun to impress, and Cole, a five-time English Premier League champion, praised the young forward for his fearless approach. "He did well. At 17, what's your fear? He doesn't have anything to be scared of," Cole said. Reflecting on his own early years, he noted that Obi-Martin's boldness was a sign of his potential. "If I were 17 and came on, I’d try to ruffle a few defenders and score a goal, and that’s what he did."

Cole, who ranks as the fourth-highest goalscorer in Premier League history, highlighted that being 17 gives players the freedom to express themselves without the same pressures they would face in more experienced company. "When you’re raw and you’re 17, you have no fear," he said. Although Obi-Martin is still developing, Cole believes the teenager has a promising future ahead of him.

Despite the encouraging words, Cole advised the young forward to keep his focus and continue working hard. He warned that the path to a successful football career is full of challenges and uncertainty. "I only made it when I retired. It was then I could look back and say, ‘yeah, I did alright.’ At 17, you’re only just starting," Cole explained. "No matter what you’ve done, you’ve not made it."

The former Blackburn Rovers forward emphasized the importance of hard work and consistency. "Head down, man, keep your head down and keep working hard," Cole advised. He acknowledged that football careers are volatile and full of pitfalls but stressed that focusing on continuous improvement is key to success.

Cole also shared insights into how football has evolved over the years, noting that his own experience was different from what young players face today. "When I was younger, it was different, but now, I’ll just tell them to keep being the best they can be." His advice was clear: stay grounded and keep pushing forward in pursuit of greatness.

Meanwhile, in the FA Cup, Calvin Bassey scored against Manchester United, contributing to his team's progression to the quarter-finals after a penalty shoot-out victory. As for Andy Cole, his legacy in English football is cemented with 187 Premier League goals, placing him fourth on the all-time list, behind Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, and Alan Shearer.

"Retired, made it," Manchester United legend warns Chido Obi-Martin

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