This week's Academy Notebook includes an update on JJ Gabriel, a cruel injury blow and a milestone on international duty.
This week's Academy Notebook.(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United have several academy players representing their respective nations during the international break.
The Under-21s were scheduled to play Manchester City before the break, but that game was postponed, with a new date still to be decided.
Nonetheless, there is still plenty going on involving academy players, and this week's Academy Notebook includes updates on JJ Gabriel, Jack Moorhouse, Jim Thwaites and Harry Amass.
Gabriel training abroad
Gabriel last trained at Carrington over a fortnight ago after submitting a request to leave the club, but he has remained sharp by training individually with a private coach in Castelldefels, Barcelona.
The youngster and his family have been regular visitors to Barcelona. Gabriel has trained with local specialist coaches during his time there, but he also occasionally invites a private coach from home to join him, Jack Hunter.
Gabriel has worked with Hunter over the last few days, being put through his paces at the British School Stadium in Castelldefels.
The forward's new permanent home could be Barcelona if the Catalan club can overcome red tape to sign him. Real Madrid have worked hard to get into a position to sign Gabriel, but his family have always dreamt of him playing for Barcelona, which is partly why they have visited so often.
Gabriel will celebrate his 16th birthday on Tuesday, so the story is set to pick up again after going quiet for a week or so.
Gabriel has trained abroad.(Image: @players_plus via Instagram)
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Moorhouse's cruel injury blow
Moorhouse has returned to Manchester after suffering an ACL injury in a friendly for Dundee last week.
Dundee arranged a behind-closed-doors friendly to keep their players ticking during the international break, but disaster struck when Moorhouse went down with a knee injury.
Moorhouse underwent a scan to assess the injury, and it's now thought he will be out for the remainder of the season.
Followers of the academy will be sending their well-wishes to Moorhouse. The midfielder was primed to kick on with Dundee this term, so picking up a serious knee injury at this stage of his career feels particularly cruel.
Moorhouse takes a shot for Dundee.
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Thwaites makes his debut
Last week's Academy Notebook highlighted that Thwaites had been called up to represent England for the first time. It's surprising that Thwaites hadn't been called up sooner, but the wait would have made his Under-20 Three Lions debut an even sweeter moment.
England U20s won 2-1 against France on Tuesday and Thwaites was introduced from the bench to earn his first England cap. Ayden Heaven and Shea Lacey started, while Jack Fletcher also got minutes as a substitute.
The United representatives in England's U20 camp would have been delighted for Thwaites to make his debut.
Thwaites was never in contention to leave on loan over the summer. United believed it was best for him to train with the first team and play for the U21s this season, to help him push toward a more permanent senior role.
Thwaites made his England U20 debut.(Image: @jim.thwaites10 via Instagram)
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Extension due for Amass
Amass has just nine months remaining on his United contract, but the club have the option to extend his deal by 12 months, which is due to be exercised before the January transfer window.
That will not come as a surprise to anyone. United are set to activate their option to give themselves some breathing space and to protect Amass' value ahead of the summer, which will be a chance for him to leave permanently.
Amass has changed agencies after failing to get a move last summer. The youngster could be allowed to leave on loan in January, depending on the fitness situation with Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu at that time, but there will be permanent options on the table in the summer.
The 19-year-old needs to bide his time for now and see where the land lies at the end of the season. He looked a tad disinterested playing for the Under-21s before the international break, but it must be tricky to get motivated for those games after spending a season in the Championship.
Amass has gone from playing competitive matches in atmospheric, iconic grounds to playing in youth fixtures in front of around 200 fans at Leigh Sports Village, so it's impossible not to sympathise.
Amass pictured against Sabah.(Image: 2026 MB Media)
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