One Manchester United insider has revealed how new under-18s manager Darren Fletcher is looking to improve JJ Gabriel after the youngster scored a 22-minute hat-trick.
Manchester United are a unique club when it comes to their academy, as they have included an academy graduate in every matchday squad since October 1937.
From big names like Sir David Beckham and Paul Scholes, to lesser-known youth players like Josh Harrop and Demetri Mitchell, United have always looked to give young players a chance in the first team, trusting in their youth setup like no other club in the Premier League.
Tyler Fredricson, Tom Heaton, and, of course, Kobbie Mainoo are the best academy graduates at the club currently, but the young players continue to impress, and some have already been included in first-team training this season.
Jack Fletcher and James Scanlon have both joined Rúben Amorim’s training squad this year, while Bendito Mantato and Reece Munro played for United’s senior side on pre-season tour.
While the Red Devils have a whole wealth of talent in the academy, JJ Gabriel seems to be the most exciting of the lot, having made his under-18s debut last season. And – with Darren Fletcher now in charge – Gabriel has become a regular for the under-18s, at still only 14.
Fletcher experiments with Gabriel’s position
After Adam Lawrence left United in the summer, Darren Fletcher was appointed as the new under-18s manager, and he has already made his mark on the side, as they have won all three games in the U18 Premier League, scoring 10 goals in the process.
In the 4-0 victory over Derby County, Gabriel netted three goals within just 22 minutes in his first appearance playing as a centre forward, while Amir Ibragimov – another promising youngster – scored the fourth.
Gabriel typically plays as a left-winger, but Fletcher has started to use the 14-year-old as a false nine in the absence of Louie Bradbury.
Mail Sport has reported that the position change was a way to “further elevate” Gabriel’s all-round game, as he would be playing closer to the goal and could find himself in more goal-scoring positions.
Kai Rooney – son of United legend Wayne Rooney – is another youngster fighting for the striking role, but Gabriel has impressed in his few appearances as a centre forward, so he could be difficult to displace.
Gabriel could be United’s own Yamal
Lamine Yamal broke into Barcelona’s first team at just 16 years old, nailing down the right-wing position despite facing competition from Ferran Torres and Raphina.
Gabriel – who was heavily linked with a switch to Catalonia in the summer – could be United’s own Yamal, as rumours have already suggested he could be involved in first-team training this season.
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The Red Devils youngster has already signed a long-term contract with Nike to take over the Mercurial brand from Cristiano Ronaldo, and he will be hungry to break into Amorim’s senior side as soon as possible.
United fans must keep watch on Gabriel, but ensure not to pile too much pressure on the youngster in the coming years, as he is still so young that he can’t play in the FA Youth Cup.
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