Michael Carrick is currently having a good time in charge at Manchester United while JJ Gabriel is shining in the club’s academy.
Manchester United’s proud tradition of nurturing homegrown talent shows no sign of fading, with an academy graduate included in every matchday squad since October 26, 1937.
This season, Under-21 midfielders James Scanlon and Jack Fletcher, along with highly rated prospects Shea Lacey and Bendito Mantato, have all stepped up to train with the senior squad. However, the youngster attracting the greatest buzz is 15-year-old JJ Gabriel.
Despite his age, Gabriel burst onto the Under-18 scene last term, coming off the bench to score twice on his debut for Adam Lawrence’s side. Now working under Darren Fletcher, he has continued his rapid progress and currently leads the team’s scoring charts with 15 goals in all competitions.
Once again, the young attacker was on-form on the weekend as United won 3-1 against Wolves. He scored an outrageous opening goal before adding another from the penalty spot later on in the game.
What Michael Carrick told United staff about JJ Gabriel
Michael Carrick was watching from the sidelines at Carrington for that latest clash for the Under-18s and it would be difficult for him to not be thinking about Gabriel’s future.
The interim first-team boss has been a regular watcher of the youth teams since he took charge and he was also in attendance at The Kassam Stadium to watch Gabriel and the Under-18s win 4-1 against Oxford United in the FA Youth Cup.
Carrick’s involvement has earned him praise from many, including Gabriel’s father, and the United boss has clear feelings about the talented 15-year-old.
Reports from GiveMeSport explains that while Carrick has ‘no immediate plans’ to promote Gabriel, he has told staff at Carrington that he would have thought about it if the club were still in the FA Cup.
Gabriel is ineligible to play in the Premier League this season due to his age but could have played in the historic cup competition. United were knocked out by Brighton in the third-round.
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JJ Gabriel could become United’s youngest-ever player
United fans are already excited about Gabriel’s potential and Carrick’s stance on the youngster will only fuel that eagerness to see him progress.
With such young players, you usually would expect them to build their game away from the spotlight but it is a unique case with Gabriel. He was being watched by millions on YouTube before he even joined the club’s academy and Ruben Amorim was even asked questions about him earlier this season.
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There are going to be many clubs looking to sign Gabriel and United will be aiming to show him a clear pathway to the first-team in order to convince him to stay.
Whether Carrick or another manager is in charge next season, it would not be surprising to see Gabriel involved in the squad and potentially becoming the club’s youngest-ever player.
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