JJ Gabriel scored a sensational hat-trick for Manchester United's under-18s against Liverpool on Saturday morning with an Alexander Isak taunt captured
JJ Gabriel celebrates after scoring for Manchester United against Liverpool
JJ Gabriel celebrates after scoring for Manchester United against Liverpool(Image: Poppy Townson - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel performed Alexander Isak's goal celebration as he scored a hat-trick against Liverpool under-18s. The 15-year-old scored three times in a demolishing victory as the United youngsters beat Liverpool 7-0 away from home.
The pick of his goals was a jinking run from the right-hand side which saw him skip past a number of Liverpool challenges before eventually firing into the back of the net. As the teenager wheeled away in celebration, he pointed back over his shoulder which is exactly what Isak does after scoring.
It has been a while since the Swede last displayed that celebration, but it became somewhat iconic when he pulled it out after winning a header over Virgil van Dijk to score in Newcastle's Carabao Cup triumph over Liverpool.
Gabriel certainly earnt the right to taunt his opposition having bagged a hat-trick which places him on 10 goals for the campaign. Darren Fletcher's side moved up to third in the standings courtesy of that victory, with a run of five games without a win put firmly behind them.
Despite still being a teenager, Ruben Amorim is firmly aware of his ability and was able to see it in front of his own eyes in first-team training last month. "Like everyone, I know he is a really talented guy," the United boss said.
"We try to pick players for training that have talent, not just for me to see for tomorrow, but for them to feel what it means to be in the first team, the difficulties playing against our defenders, the difficulty and pace of our training.
Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Southampton
Alexander Isak celebrating the same way after scoring for Liverpool against Southampton
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"If we can use every training we have to show the kids what they need to do to be here, it is important, not just for JJ but for everyone."
Gabriel could soon find himself in senior matchday squads given his talent, though United are likely to be careful with his development. If he was just a few years older, it is very possible a first-team debut would have arrived.
Both Amad and Bryan Mbeumo will soon be heading to AFCON while Benjamin Sesko is out injured for the next few weeks. Matheus Cunha also missed Monday's defeat to Everton after suffering an issue in training, but he is expected back for next week's clash against West Ham at Old Trafford.
As a result of those two enforced absences, forgotten star Joshua Zirkzee started and played the full game against Everton while Shea Lacey was also on the bench. The latter is another youngster from the academy that is very highly-rated.
(Image: (Martin Rickett/PA Wire))
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From eight appearances for the under-21s, across Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy, he has contributed to five goals. The 18-year-old is another young attacker that Amorim has commented on.
"I'm really happy with him," he said before the Everton clash. "He struggled a little bit with injuries but they did a very good job balancing his body and you can sense he can manage more load during training.
"He has a lot of talent but when they come here they can sense the speed is completely different, so they need to spend more time with us to be prepared because our training is hard.
"In Premier League games the pressure is harder, so they need to be ready. When you call a kid up to the first team, they need to behave really well. This connection is really important. We are putting everything in place - a nutritionist for the academy starts now - in our club.
"That is something that should be basic. All these things we are doing, so I have more time with them and I'm more confident with them. When we put these kids in to play in the Premier League, they will struggle, but will struggle less I think."