Manchester United have a seriously talented player breaking through at Carrington right now in the form of JJ Gabriel.
The talent of the 14-year-old prodigy is no secret, but the heights he continues to reach are still endlessly impressive.
JJ Gabriel is widely considered one of England’s most promising talents, seen as a youngster who will soon be looked at alongside Max Dowman, and he is quickly becoming undeniable at Manchester United.
Due to his ability and clear domination at the younger youth levels, Gabriel was promoted to the U18s for a greater challenge; however, it hasn’t panned out that way.
Gabriel has made U18 football look easy this season, stepping seamlessly up four age groups. Rio Ferdinand has admitted being impressed by Gabriel, comparing him with Wayne Rooney for his youthful confidence on the pitch.
Now, Gabriel has had his best performance yet at an U18 level.
JJ Gabriel celebrates with knee slide and gun fingers for Manchester United.
Photo by Anthony Devlin/Manchester United via Getty Images
JJ Gabriel is making light work of Manchester United’s U18 opponents
Gabriel scored a brace last weekend against Middlesbrough, and this weekend against Derby, he went one better in a 4-0 thrashing of Derby County.
As United’s U18s kept pace with Man City, it was Gabriel who made it happen as he started up front and scored three goals inside the opening 27 minutes for the Red Devils.
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This takes his tally for the campaign to five, leading even his captain Amir Ibragimov, who scored the fourth against Derby, to make it four in four.
To be so dominant for the U18s against players three or four years older than him is crazy from Gabriel and proves the hype right; he really is one of the greatest young talents the club has ever had.
United secured Gabriel to a contract, which runs until he turns 16, which will be the deciding point as Ineos need to have the club in a position to keep him and get a professional contract signed.
One way to do this is by showing him the clear pathway to the first team at an early stage, with the seeds already being planted.
Manchester United should hand JJ Gabriel his U21 debut
Despite being just 14, United are already giving the youngster special treatment, knowing that if he gets anywhere near his full potential, Gabriel will be among the best in the world.
This season in particular, the club is showing Gabriel that he is valued. This was obvious as Ruben Amorim met with Gabriel and took a picture, something which emerged after it was reported that first team training was planned for the teenager this season.
Despite this, Gabriel cannot make his United debut until next season, as he needs to be 15 by the start of the season to feature, which he will be for the 2026/27 campaign.
However, with U18 football not presenting much of a challenge to Gabriel, United could and should look to begin integrating him into the U21 side.
Here, Gabriel can get valuable experience playing against some senior players in their late teenage years and early 20s, which could help him improve further.