Max Dowman had his arrival moment in the Premier League against Everton in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory, but his feat could be superseded in less than a year by Man Utd’s own version of the wonderkid.
At just 16 years, 73 days, Max Dowman became the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer by scoring a sensational solo goal against Everton.
Dowman has long been hyped as one of the biggest talents England has ever seen, with only one player rivalling him.
He plays for Man Utd. He is waiting to be unleashed, and he is poised to break Dowman’s record as soon as next season.
JJ Gabriel for Man Utd u18s, white kit
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JJ Gabriel celebrates, in Man Utd red kit
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JJ Gabriel is Man Utd’s answer to Arsenal’s Max Dowman
Dowman and JJ Gabriel are two names that have become synonymous with the English youth circuit in the last year or so.
Both are prodigiously talented youngsters who excite coaches at the youth level, so Dowman’s rise is not entirely surprising.
The same can be said for Gabriel, who is a year younger than Dowman, thereby making him eligible for senior appearances this season.
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Arsenal wasted no time in fast-tracking him, a decision that looks entirely deserved now, and the same is expected to be true for Gabriel next season.
He’ll be eligible to play for the U21s and the senior team next season, having turned 15 in October, and with his exploits in the U18s this season, it’s a matter of when, not if, he gets his debut.
Carrick has already been asked about Gabriel, so has Darren Fletcher, while Ruben Amorim met him specially when he was here.
Bryan Mbeumo is raving about his talent, and United’s presence in four competitions next season provides the perfect launchpad to fast-track him.
Gabriel is poised to break multiple records
When Gabriel is fast-tracked next season, potentially with a pre-season berth followed by a competitive debut, he’ll rewrite the record books.
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JJ Gabriel
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Angel Gomes is currently the youngest player to play for United, debuting at the age of 16 years, 263 days. Gabriel doesn’t even turn 16 until October.
If he scores before January 2027, he will become Man Utd’s and Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer, a record that is now held by Dowman after his goal against Everton.
As United could play in the Champions League next season, he will also become the club’s youngest-ever European debutant.
Again, a goal in that competition will see him become the youngest-ever scorer in that competition, a record currently held by Ansu Fati.
That record might well belong to Dowman before the end of this season, so that’s another one that Gabriel can take from him next season.
Strap in for the ride, because United’s version of Arsenal’s Max Dowman is waiting to be unleashed and rewrite the record books.
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