Manchester United have an academy packed full of talented youngsters who have the potential to one day become first-team players at Old Trafford.
It is the history of Manchester United to use the academy, but this isn’t something that happens as a rule of thumb; the prospects have to earn it.
However, having such a historic academy attracts some of the nation’s best, and right now, in JJ Gabriel, United have arguably the most talented 14-year-old.
Gabriel is playing four years up this season, in the U18s right now, and tearing opponents to shreds at this level.
The teenager is so talented that Ruben Amorim has even taken notice of Gabriel, watching his clips, and the pair have been pictured meeting at Carrington.
As a show of the club’s faith, United are planning to give Gabriel first-team training opportunities over the coming season, which would be purely for experience, as he cannot debut until next season.
Gabriel is a special talent, and now Rio Ferdinand has taken note.
JJ Gabriel dribbles the ball for Man Utd u18s
Photo by Anthony Devlin/Manchester United via Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand in awe of JJ Gabriel
Last season, Marcus Rashford recognised Gabriel’s talent, and it is hard not to, as the wonderkid makes U18 football look easy, which is almost unheard of at his age.
More United News
So, on Friday, when Ferdinand was speaking about the U18s on his YouTube channel, ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’, it was inevitable that Gabriel would get a mention.
“I’ve been watching my old mate, Darren Fletcher is now the manager of the under-18s, doing a fabulous job there.
“Keep hearing him talk about Man United, DNA, and making players run, be aggressive, and having to be relentless. I watched him the other day smash up a few teams’ last three or four games, banged in goals galore. But could have scored more, dominating teams.
“They’ve got a kid called JJ Gabriel. I know you’ve heard of him. Wow. He’s got a massive chance. Massive.
“He’s the one who could be mentioned alongside Rio [Ngumoha] and Max Dowman. He’s the next one, I’m telling you.”
Continuing, Ferdinand then explained that the confidence Gabriel displays is similar to that of Wayne Rooney.
“Love to see it. And these kids have got confidence, I don’t think that lads in our generation [had], only the likes of Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and Joe Cole, I’ve seen confidence like that.”
Ferdinand comparing Gabriel’s confidence to Rooney is massive praise, and if he is able to get himself to anywhere near that level, he will have fulfilled his potential.
JJ Gabriel can make history for Manchester United
At just 14, it is absolutely insane the coverage Gabriel is getting; however, it doesn’t come undeserved, as the prodigy has already made himself one of United’s best U18 players.
To score with ease, both on the left and as a number nine, against players three or four years older at that age is an incredible thing, and Gabriel deserves the hype.
If he continues this season as it has begun, Gabriel will be in Amorim’s thoughts by next summer for the pre-season tour, with the head coach already keeping an eye.
Gabriel is committed to United right now, and he will be 15 next season and eligible to make his debut, which we have a feeling will be on the cards relatively quickly, in order to show him that the best place to develop is United.