Darren Fletcher has provided an update on his Manchester United squad, shedding light on the possible inclusion of 15-year-old JJ Gabriel.
Manchester United welcome Brighton to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon as their FA Cup involvement gets underway.
The Reds have already navigated a demanding schedule, playing 22 competitive matches this season, 21 in the Premier League, in addition to a Carabao Cup second-round defeat to Grimsby Town. The FA Cup therefore offers a fresh challenge.
United arrive off the back of a turbulent few days, having parted company with Rúben Amorim on Monday before drawing 2-2 with Burnley on Wednesday night. Encouragingly, Benjamin Šeško found the net twice, while 18-year-old Shea Lacey was handed a brief cameo.
The clash with Brighton also comes amid ongoing uncertainty in the dugout, with the club still in the process of appointing a caretaker manager to see out the 2025/26 season. Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Michael Carrick are among those being considered.
United blessed with no injuries, but AFCON returns impossible
In the last few days, it has been confirmed that both Bryan Mbeumo and Amad are set to return to Manchester after Cameroon and the Ivory Coast were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations at the quarter-final stage.
However, speaking to the press on whether any of those returning from AFCON earlier this week could feature against Brighton, Fletcher explained that it’s too close a turnaround. However, he also explained that the squad have suffered no other injuries.
“i don’t think so,” the interim boss said. “I think it’s too close a turnaround. So we’ll have the same players available for the game, as we had against Burnley, so no new additions. Bryan and Nous [Mazraoui] will not be available for the game.”
Mazraoui has progressed to the semi-final stage of the competition, while Fletcher’s words confirm that Matthijs de Ligt is now the side’s only injury worry.
When asked to elaborate on Harry Maguire and his possible return to action, Fletcher continued. “Well, he has been out for a while, so it would probably be looking at his load and things like that.
“That decision’s not been made, but you’ve seen the players come back the other night. You’ve seen Mason [Mount], you’ve seen Kobbie [Mainoo], you’ve seen Bruno [Fernandes].
“There has to be some understanding of their first minutes; we might have to be careful with that process to build back in, so I think Harry will probably be in that situation for the weekend.”
Gabriel involvement is too early, says Fletcher
In the last few weeks, reports have suggested that those inside the club feel 15-year-old JJ Gabriel, who has been making waves in the club’s Academy, could be in line to make his senior debut for United this weekend.
However, Fletcher, who is Gabriel’s coach at the U18s level, confirmed that he feels it’s too soon for the highly talented youngster to be involved with the senior squad just yet.
“Well, he could be, but he’s not going to be,” Fletcher confirmed. “Obviously, anybody could be picked. But JJ is a fantastic talent. I’ve enjoyed working with him immensely, getting to know him, you know, he’s a young lad with a massive sort of hype.
“You know, there’s a lot of noise around him, and deservedly so, because he’s a really talented kid. He works hard. He loves football. The first thing I say is he loves football. He loves training; he loves playing; he loves having the ball; he loves expressing himself; he makes fantastic decisions; he’s just got an enthusiasm for the game that’s just amazing.
Read More: Carlo Ancelotti’s true thoughts on joining Manchester United revealed as ‘retire’ claim made
“Just a 15-year-old with a bright future ahead of him. I’m super excited by his talent, but the most important thing is that he keeps developing, and he’s in the Under-18s team, and he’s doing fantastically well, but he’s still got lots to learn. He’s developing within there, but the world’s his oyster, and he just needs to go on his journey, and his time will come in due course.
“But for just now, it’s a little bit early, I think. And I think a lot of people would agree with me, but I couldn’t speak highly enough of JJ, he’s got an amazing family and amazing support around him, and he’s someone we’re delighted to have at the club.
“We just hope he keeps improving, learning every day, and just keep being the boy that he is really, and enjoying loving playing football and going and expressing himself and scoring lots of goals so the Manchester United Under-18s win every game, and then I’ll be a happy man.”