Manchester United’s 15-year-old academy sensation JJ Gabriel took part in first-team training with Ruben Amorim’s squad on Thursday afternoon.
Manchester United have a proud history of nurturing homegrown talent, with at least one academy graduate included in every matchday squad since October 26, 1937.
This season, Under-21 midfielders James Scanlon and Jack Fletcher, along with rising prospects Shea Lacey and Bendito Mantato, have all trained with the senior squad. However, the standout youngster catching everyone’s attention is 15-year-old JJ Gabriel.
Despite his youth, Gabriel made an immediate impact with the Under-18s last season, coming off the bench to score twice on his debut for Adam Lawrence’s side. Now working under Darren Fletcher’s guidance, he has maintained that momentum and currently leads the team in goals.
United came close to losing Gabriel over the summer, as several top European clubs showed strong interest in signing him. However, after productive talks involving Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada, the talented youngster chose to remain at Old Trafford, a testament to the club’s belief in his exceptional potential.
What JJ Gabriel did in United first-team training
It is well-known that Gabriel also spoke personally with Ruben Amorim in the summer and reports suggested that he would get some action in first-team training this season.
That has started to happen, with the youngster himself confirming on his Instagram page that he took part in training with Amorim’s squad this week.
It was reported by BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone that Gabriel took part in an 11 vs 11 training match with the first-team squad on Thursday. He added that first-team involvement at Carrington has been part of the plan for Gabriel’s development.
Reports elsewhere have claimed that the teenager has already been offered a box at the club’s new stadium and there were talks about him being the face of United when he breaks into the squad.
JJ Gabriel first-team debut rules explained
Everything suggests that Gabriel could become the youngest-ever player to represent United’s first-team, with a debut this season not out of the question.
However, due to Premier League rules, the youngster would not be able to play in the competition until the 2026/27 campaign. It is stated in the rulebook that a player must have turned 15 by August 2025 to be eligible to play and his 15th birthday was in October.
On the other hand, there is no such rule in the FA Cup which means Gabriel could hypothetically make his debut in the cup competition later this season. FA rules state that a player at the age of 15 can play in the competition as long as they are registered correctly and a letter of consent has been provided from the player’s parent or guardian and school.
United enter the historic competition in the third-round in early January which gives the youngster several more months to impress club staff in training and with the Under-18s.
There are no guarantees that Gabriel makes his debut this term, especially due to the Premier League rules, but it is a possibility and his talent levels mean that it cannot be ruled out.
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