When it comes to Manchester United youngsters breaking through and lasting the course, Kobbie Mainoo is perhaps the one shining example.
For the majority though they follow similar patterns. A bit of fanfare and hype, either as they come through the academy or get poached from rivals, an opportunity off the bench or even a shock start, talk of how they could develop and then a gradual decline of interest.
Chido Obi is the latest to fall into that category. He arrived after his Arsenal contract expired, which was seen as a massive coup. At 15 he was training with the Gunners first-team and the young striker once scored 10 times in a single game as the Arsenal U16s hammered Liverpool 14-3.
He turned down the chance to sign professionally in north London and announced on social media that he was moving to the red side of Manchester. Within five months he became United's third-youngest ever Premier League player, behind only Angel Gomes and Shola Shoretire.
