Manchester United supporters hoping for an early glimpse of teenage sensation JJ Gabriel may not have long to wait. The 15-year-old forward was asked to take part in first-team training this week after being noticed by interim head coach Michael Carrick.
Gabriel has been one of the standout performers at the youth level this season, regularly featuring for the Under-18 side despite still being well below the usual age group. His progress has been closely followed within the club structure, and his recent involvement with the senior squad reflects that growing reputation.
This was not the first time Gabriel has mixed with the main group. Earlier in the campaign, Ruben Amorim had also invited him to train alongside experienced professionals, underlining the high regard in which the youngster is held.
Opportunity shaped by form and circumstance
According to reports, timing also played a part in Gabriel’s inclusion. A number of academy players were unavailable following an Under-21 match the previous evening, while the senior squad was scheduled for a lighter recovery-focused session after Sunday’s league victory and a rest day on Monday.
Even so, Gabriel’s performances alone justify the attention. Operating against older opponents, he has contributed directly to 12 goals across 14 appearances in the Under-18 Premier League, a return that has caught the eye throughout the youth setup.
His impact has extended beyond league action. Gabriel has been involved in United’s FA Youth Cup run, playing a role in two victories that carried the team through to the last 16 of a competition deeply associated with the club’s identity.
Versatility, pathways, and academy tradition
Throughout the season, Gabriel has been deployed in several attacking roles, including as a central forward, an attacking midfielder, and on the left side. Notably, every goal he has scored—among them three-goal displays against Derby County and Liverpool—came when he started through the middle.
Injuries elsewhere could eventually open space in wide areas, but competition remains strong. Shea Lacey, now 18, has already made multiple senior appearances and remains ahead in the internal hierarchy, having impressed despite a dismissal in the FA Cup.
Behind Gabriel, other youth prospects continue to emerge. Kai Rooney returned from a lengthy injury absence after stepping up to the Under-18s, while Jack and Tyler Fletcher have frequently been named in matchday squads. Kobbie Mainoo has also established himself as a regular starter following Carrick’s appointment.
All of this underlines the durability of United’s long-standing academy tradition. The club’s run of naming at least one homegrown player in every first-team squad, dating back to October 1937, remains intact and continues into its 89th year.