Manchester United are through to the FA Youth Cup final after their win over Crystal Palace
Rio Ferdinand has talked up JJ Gabriel.
Rio Ferdinand has talked up JJ Gabriel.(Image: Getty Images)
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Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has labelled youth star JJ Gabriel 'the future' following the club's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the FA Youth Cup. Darren Fletcher's side booked their place in the final against rivals Manchester City after beating the London club after extra-time.
The youngsters needed a Chido Obi winner to overcome Palace and book the derby showdown next month. Gabriel's effort 13 minutes from time broke the deadlock but the visitors hit back almost immediately to take the game to extra-time.
The 15-year-old has been widely tipped to be one of the next prospects to graduate from United's academy and become a household name at Old Trafford. United are record holders of the competition with 11 triumphs; the efforts from both Gabriel and Obi have provided the opportunity for a record-extending win.
In a tweet, Ferdinand wrote: "Well worked by Chido Obi… calmly finished by JJ! The future @ManUtd. Movement in behind. Pass. Simple game! Congrats to Fletch & the boys… great feeling!"
And in another post on X in which he commented on the winning goal following the result, Ferdinand added: "Movement in behind. Pass [clapping hands emoji]. Simple game! Congrats to Fletch & the boys… great feeling!"
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United have a rich history of bringing through academy talent with Tyler Fletcher and Shea Lacey among the graduates to make their bow this season.
The current crop of United starlets have the chance of emulating historic teams in the past by winning the Youth Cup.
It has been four years since they last got their hands on the silverware when the likes of Alejandro Garnacho shone during the competition.
City stand in their way after they beat Blackburn Rovers in the other semi-final, earlier this month. The prospects from the blue half of Manchester have seen an emergence to become a prominent force in the competition.
Academy director Steve Torpey has already talked up the prospect of bringing through more talents with Gabriel among those name dropped as one of the "special talents".
He said: "I've got to be careful that I don't put unnecessary pressure on anyone from the academy. I think it's well documented with the number of players that are out there, and they're performing really well, and they're doing extremely well.
"I suppose when you look at those types of players, they give you these moments of magic and these bits that get you off your seat, and sometimes that's a really good tackle, sometimes that's a goal line clearance.
"The other times, it's a great bit of skill on the edge of the box, like we saw last weekend when he wrapped it in the top corner. You see these things, but there's a lot that can go on.
"We have some special talents right now in our groups, and JJ is one of those, for sure."