Gabriele Biancheri was excellent for Man Utd's academy last season and has attracted attention from two international sides.
United academy player Gabriele Biancheri.(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
Craig Bellamy believes Manchester United youngster Gabriele Biancheri must improve to play for Wales.
Biancheri has represented Wales' youth teams throughout the age groups, but the youngster's heritage caught the attention of Canada, who called him up to their senior squad in June.
Cardiff-born Biancheri is eligible to represent the nations of his father (Italy) and his mother (Canada), as well as his birthplace (Wales). The forward is considering his international future, but Wales boss Bellamy has warned he still has a long way to go before he features for their senior squad.
Biancheri played for Wales U21s against Denmark on Monday, and he'll watch with interest on Tuesday evening as the Wales senior side takes on Canada in an international friendly.
Speaking at a press conference, Bellamy was asked about Biancheri and said: "He wasn't involved with United in pre-season. I was keeping an eye on him and it will be interesting to see where he goes.
"I don't know how it went with Canada when he went there because I haven't asked him. I chose Canada in a friendly because I like them. They have really good habits and are ranked higher than us.
"We will have something to compare with when he comes in. I see him a long way from being in our first team. A long, long way. But what I like about him is that when you write him off, he finds a way.
"He's not quick, and can't run away from anyone, but he still finds a way. I know he is always going to do something, although I don't know when. If someone writes him of, he'll find a way to come back – the kid never goes away. I really respect that.
"I tend to really love players and I'm just so looking forward to seeing what he can do – just not yet."
Canada boss Jesse Marsch praised Biancheri when he explained the youngster's first call-up to their senior side this summer. "He’s a dynamic player, he’s very good around the goal," said Marsch.
"He’s a striker that can play up on the backline but also is good at coming underneath and connecting plays and being part of the build-up phase.
“I talked to him about how he thinks he would fit into us and how I think he would benefit from the experience of being with us. I spoke with his father and his mother at length, and we talked about the overall opportunity of what it would mean to play for the Canadian national team.
"I think it’s really important that the family feels the connection to Canada. I’ve always wanted to make sure that what it means to be Canadian and what it means to represent the Canadian national team is in their heart, that it’s something that is true to who they are.
“So I think this will be good for Gabe, to see what the experience is like, and then to see how he fits in. The striker position is competitive with us, but he’s still young, and I think he could have the opportunity to establish himself as a flexible player in the way we play, a little bit like how [Lille and Canada forward] Jonathan David plays.”
FIFA's current eligibility rules allow players to switch their international allegiance provided they have played no more than three senior competitive matches before turning 21.
Biancheri has taken part in several first-team training sessions at Carrington, but he hasn't been named in a matchday squad, despite building an impressive goalscoring record at United at academy level.
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