Manchester United’s U18s side won 4-0 against Wolves on Saturday afternoon to continue their perfect start to the 2025/26 campaign.
In the last couple of years, Manchester United’s U18s side have been one of the most impressive youth teams across the country.
Darren Fletcher has taken on the duty of leading the team forward this season and he is experiencing a brilliant start in the U18s Premier League North.
The young Reds have won all five of their fixtures so far this term and are yet to concede a goal, with Fletcher’s side dominating games.
Following on from the latest 4-0 victory over Wolves, UtdDistrict have noted three of the standout performers from United’s U18s side.
Three standout performers for United U18s vs Wolves
JJ Gabriel continued through the middle as a false-nine and scored United’s first goal of the game. It was an exquisite chip after being played through by Amir Ibragimov.
The 14-year-old starlet then got an assist in the second half, setting up Nathaniel Junior Brown after dancing past one or two defenders inside the box.
He is looking much more comfortable in terms of physicality in these games now. On multiple occasions, the young forward managed to nick the ball from the Wolves defenders.
While the entire team was impressive in this game, the midfield pivot of Ibragimov and Jim Thwaites were excellent and both players seemed to run proceedings.
Thwaites ability to beat the press in build-up is unbelievable, with the teenager able to distribute the ball in any area of the pitch, with both feet.
Meanwhile, Ibragimov’s leadership is key to this group and his quality in forward areas helps them to break down opposition defences. His perfectly weighted pass to Gabriel for the opener is the perfect example.
Both players will probably be regulars for the Under-21s by the end of the season, with their quality being above almost any other midfielder at this level.
Fletcher’s clear plan for JJ Gabriel explained
Gabriel is one of the most highly-rated talents at United but he is still taking the U18s football better than many would have expected.
The youngster has played eight games at the level since his debut at the end of last season and scored nine goals in those matches.
Fletcher has used him as a central striker in most of the games so far this season and even though Gabriel is afforded the freedom to roam, it is testing his physicality much more than on the wing.
With the youngster seen as a future first-team player, and reports suggesting he could train with Ruben Amorim’s squad at some point this season, it is clear that this position change is trying to make him ready for when that moment comes.
There are no questions about Gabriel’s technical ability, but these different factors will all give him a better chance of succeeding when the club decide he can take that step up.
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