Manchester United are going strong in the transfer market, but their most important piece of work might just have happened.
The academy has been a beacon of shining light at Man Utd despite the turbulent times for the senior team, and even among a bright group, one name has grabbed the headlines.
14-year-old JJ Gabriel has been dubbed “Kid Messi” for his talents, and he’s lived up to the hype so far by playing against players almost four years his senior.
Gabriel has made appearances for the U18s at Man Utd and scored, but the exit rumours hung around his name, which have now dissipated.
Sir Dave Brailsford (left) the INEOS director of sport next to Jason Wilcox (centre) the technical director of Manchester United while Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right), the co-owner of Manchester United, looks on
Photo by Tom Jenkins/ Getty Images
JJ Gabriel commits to Man Utd
Gabriel was attracting interest from some of the top European clubs, which was no surprise, considering his is a name that has been spoken with excitement in youth circles for a while.
It goes without saying that his route to the first team is a while away yet, since he’s only 14, but United have managed to fight off the advances from other clubs.
Nathan Salt reports that Gabriel has committed to staying at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future after reports that he was set to leave the club.
As per Salt, ‘key meetings’ in the past week swung the deal in United’s favour, with contributions from Jason Wilcox and Matt Hargreaves important.
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EXC: JJ Gabriel commits to stay at Man United.
The 14-year-old looked set to leave this summer before a crucial intervention from Jason Wilcox and Matt Hargreaves.
Key meetings in past week swung it #mufc https://t.co/H1A7t8fytx
— Nathan Salt (@NathSalt1) June 29, 2025
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It is another win for Wilcox in his new role as director of football, while Hargreaves gets a rare win after being a derided figure under the Glazers for his role as the person who does the negotiating.
JJ Gabriel pathway at Manchester United next
While it’s a huge boost that United have managed to convince Gabriel of the pros of staying at the club, the question comes – what next?
It will be interesting to see the promises the club would have made to Gabriel that saw him commit to staying, and his appearances for the U18s as a 14-year-old shed some light on it.
14-year-old JJ Gabriel's second goal on his under-18 debut today.
United are doing everything in their power to keep him amid interest from pretty much every club under the sun. pic.twitter.com/NBXRB9rsmD
— SCOOP. (@AcademyScoop) April 5, 2025
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The report doesn’t state for how long he has committed to, which likely means that he’s at least reached an understanding to stay with the club and explore signing a professional contract when he turns 17.
Generally, clubs get a verbal agreement in place that the player signs when he’s 17, but since Gabriel is three years away from it, he can’t commit to it right now.
He is likely to become a fixture of the U18 side next season as a 15-year-old, quite an achievement, but how hard he is pushed remains to be seen.
Perhaps one full season with the U18s and then a pre-season place next summer as a nearly 16-year-old should be on the agenda.
For now, it is a bona fide win for United that Gabriel is staying at the club for the foreseeable future.