JJ Gabriel was seen pictured with Rúben Amorim after the Arsenal match, and the two shared a conversation detailing Gabriel’s involvement in the first team.
Manchester United have long been a club known for its impressive academy talents, with an academy graduate in every matchday squad since October 26, 1937.
James Scanlon and Jack Fletcher – two attacking midfielders in the under-21s – have appeared in first-team training already this season, but the most promising attacker at the club appears to be JJ Gabriel.
Gabriel is just 14 years old, but has already become a regular in the under-18s side, scoring two goals from the bench last season on his debut for Adam Lawrence’s team.
Darren Fletcher now leads the under-18s and has continued to trust in Gabriel, having picked him from the start in the opening game this season.
While the youth sides don’t play Rúben Amorim’s formation, many fans of the academy believe Gabriel could be the perfect left-sided attacking midfielder for the Portuguese manager if he develops well.
What Amorim said to Gabriel in Arsenal meeting
Amorim and Gabriel were pictured together at the Carrington Training Complex after United’s loss against Arsenal, and the two appeared to share a conversation about Gabriel’s future at the club.
The BBC have now reported that Gabriel will train with Amorim’s first-team squad this season, despite not being old enough to compete in the FA Youth Cup for the under-18s side.
This could be part of the strategy to keep Gabriel at the club long-term, as he was close to leaving last summer, but Jason Wilcox played a key role in keeping him at Old Trafford.
Despite being just 14 years old, the talent is clearly there, and United will not want to lose Gabriel, who can leave for European clubs before he turns 18, as he has an Irish passport.
Academy players training with the first-team squad is nothing new, but joining the first-team group at just 14 is almost unheard of. He is clearly a very special talent.
Gabriel could play for the under-21s this season
The FA Youth Cup is one of the oldest competitions in English football, and winning it is a very important landmark for any youth side, including United, which won the trophy back in 2022 with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
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Unfortunately, Gabriel can’t play in the competition as he is too young, but he could instead feature in Travis Binnion’s under-21s side to make way for others in the under-18s.
Like United’s first team, the under-21s side is very young and features several players who are eligible for younger age groups. When a Youth Cup fixture is on, several of the under-21s drop down to the under-18s to give United the best chance of winning the competition.
As such, this leaves space in the under-21s for other players, including Gabriel, would could feature before the end of the season, especially if United progress into the latter stages of the Youth Cup.
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