Manchester United's hot prospect Chido Obi-Martin will only be a spectator for the clash against Athletic Bilbao despite making the trip to Spain with the Red Devils' 26-man squad. The Red Devils are gearing up for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final showdown. Ruben Amorim has called upon a host of seasoned players as he looks to navigate a successful path to the final. Amongst the squad, the inclusion of young talent Chido Obi-Martin caught the eye.

The forward, who made the switch from Arsenal last summer, will be with his team-mates in Spain but won't feature on the pitch due to being left out of the knockout phase squad list, rendering him ineligible for match action. Obi-Martin also doesn't qualify for the B list typically allocated for youth players since he only joined the club in the previous year.

United have disclosed their intention for the youngster to participate in a training session on Friday following the match, which is why he's part of the travelling party.

Sekou Kone finds himself in a similar predicament. Earlier in the season, Amorim shed light on the decision to exclude Obi-Martin, suggesting it was a move to gradually introduce him to the senior team at Old Trafford amidst stiff competition for the striker position.

"A different context," said the Portuguese tactician. "In that moment, Ras (Hojlund) and Josh (Zirkzee) playing in same position, try to manage all the things, even expectation of the kids. We choose different players.

"I am trying to manage everything, it is a big step for them. I am trying to think about every aspect. I am not thinking about what it will look like with their friends and the media."

Teen sensation Obi-Martin, who made the switch from Arsenal's academy to Manchester United, has been on fire, netting 14 goals in just 15 games for both the under-18s and under-21s.

Obi-Martin's impressive form has earned him a spot in the first team, with six appearances this season, including five in the Premier League.

In other news, United's squad against Bilbao is set to be bolstered by the return of Matthijs de Ligt and Amad, both recovering from injuries.

After facing off with the Spanish outfit, United's busy schedule continues with a Premier League clash at Brentford, followed by the crucial second-leg showdown at Old Trafford.