When Manchester United step out to face Norwegian side Rosenborg on Friday, they will most likely have a 15-year-old on their squad list – his name: JJ Gabriel.
Who is the youngster, and what can United fans know about him as he prepares to make his first senior appearance for Michael Carrick’s side?
Gabriel has emerged as one of the club’s leading academy prospects since joining United’s youth system in 2022, and he has been on a track as fast as you like. Last year he became the youngest player to feature for the club’s U-18 side and this summer he stepped up his involvement with the first team.
The teenager trained with the senior squad at Carrington on Monday and is under consideration to travel to Norway. A lot of what happens after that will depend on his development but he will most likely make his debut during the season, at least in the domestic cups, and could debut in the Premier League as well.
Against Rosenborg, United are expected to name a squad similar to the one that played Wrexham in their opening pre-season fixture last Saturday, although there will likely be some changes.
Gabriel is highly rated as a youth player but Carrick has previously stressed the need to carefully manage his progress.
“He’s not allowed [to make his debut], he’s too young,” Carrick said last season, when Gabriel could not legally play for the senior team since, according to the laws, a teenager has to have reached 15 by August of the new season. Gabriel only turned 15 in October.
“He’s doing really well, JJ,” United’s coach added. “We’ve got some really good young players in the academy and we try and get the younger players up [with the first-team] as much as we can. We’re always trying to give that exposure to the players to come and train and feel it.
“JJ is a big talent, it’s pretty obvious to know that and he’s had a really good season for the U18s. We obviously think an awful lot of him, but patience is important in managing everything that comes with that and working with him in development as we do with all the different younger players and picking the right moment to step up.”
This week, Gabriel hinted at his anticipation of playing for United after the game against Wrexham, posting on Instagram: “The longer you wait for something the more you appreciate it when you get it because anything worth having is worth waiting for.”
A key highlight of United’s recent plans is to bring in young talents and progress them to the first team. As part of those plans, this summer the club signed highly rated Colombia teenager Christian Orozco, before completing the signing of Tynan Thompson from Tottenham, both of them 18 years old.
