Manchester United have an academy jam-packed with talented young footballers, all of whom will be hoping to one day grace Old Trafford.
The conveyor belt of talent is almost endless, with players in almost every position considered to have potential to feature for the first-team one day.
Ruben Amorim has already handed out three academy debuts, with Chido Obi and Harry Amass two sensational talents, while Tyler Fredricson has been surprisingly excellent since his progression to the first-team.
Due to the academy debutants having a seamless integration, Manchester United will surely be planning further debuts, perhaps even in the season finale against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
Bendito Mantato looks likely to be among the next few to debut, while there are several others clearly in the head coach’s good books so far.
However, now it is a 14-year-old who is supposedly being tipped for his breakthrough.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
JJ Gabriel tipped to make his Manchester United debut next season
Toward the back end of the season, United finally handed highly rated 14-year-old, JJ Gabriel, his under-18 debut and he was an instant hit. Gabriel scored twice on his United cameo debut and looked a cut above the opposition becoming the youngest U18 scorer in the club’s history.
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It is testament to the youngster’s ability that Marcus Rashford was among those to congratulate Gabriel for his performance, suggesting that the impression the teenager has left is pretty huge, even wowing first team players.
Now, according to The Sun, there are already discussions at the club over how to manage Gabriel’s progression, with serious expectation that he will break the club’s record for youngest player ever.
The club expect Gabriel to break this record under Amorim possibly as early as next season in a cup competition, with the 14-year-old already a standout at under-18 level.
However, even if the club wanted to, Gabriel won’t be eligible for his Premier League debut until 2026/27 due to his age and rules in the league. A player must have turned 15 by August of the season to debut, which Gabriel will not be, turning 15 in October.
A cup competition debut however, could be on the cards if Amorim chooses.
Manchester United youngest ever players
If Gabriel is to make history, it will take some doing, although he more than has the potential and talent to make it happen.
The current youngest ever United player came in 1956 when David Gaskell made his debut aged 16 and 19 days. Gabriel is still just 14 years and 226 days old which demonstrates how good he is to already be considered for his debut.
Rank Player Age Date
1. David Gaskell 16 years and 19 days 24th October 1956
2. Jeff Whitefoot 16 years, 3 months and 15 days 15th April 1950
3. Duncan Edwards 16 years, 6 months and 4 days 4th April 1953
4. Angel Gomes 16 years, 8 months and 20 days 21st May 2017
5. Willie Anderson 16 years, 11 months and 4 days 28th December 1963
Gabriel has until October 25th 2026 to make his senior debut in order to be the youngest ever, which considering his rapid progression and United’s need to fast track him, seems like a given.
Due to the interest from abroad, Gabriel may not commit his future to United, but with promises like this, there is surely no way he can refuse. This is a genius move from Jason Wilcox which should show Gabriel and his team that United is the best place for him.