Manchester United were reportedly beaten by Arsenal in a behind-closed-doors friendly but the Gunners suffered a major blow in the process.
With no European football this season, Ruben Amorim said he is open to Manchester United organising mid-season friendlies.
He was mainly speaking about reports that United could travel to Saudi Arabia over the winter to compete in a friendly tournament, but the Red Devils have also organised behind-closed-doors friendlies for youth players.
WHO is the most UNDERRATED academy talent at Manchester United right now? 🤔🔥
JJ Gabriel and Shea Lacey are obviously exciting but who else are you excited by?
Amir Ibragimov leads team talk for Manchester United U18s.
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That includes a friendly organised against Arsenal earlier this month. Reports suggest the Gunners won 3-0 with United reduced to 10 men when James Overy was shown a red card.
Arsenal fielded several recognisable names, including Gabriel Jesus, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and exciting wonderkid Max Dowman.
Arsenal FC v FC Bayern München - UEFA Youth League 2025/26
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Max Dowman injured for two months after Man Utd clash
Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman is enjoying a breakthrough season in North London after rising through the ranks of the Gunners’ academy.
Dowman made his senior debut for Arsenal this season and has continued to flourish at youth level. He featured in the behind-closed-doors friendly against United.
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However, according to The Athletic, Dowman has suffered ligament damage in his ankle and is now expected to be sidelined for two months.
Dowman has been taken out of Arsenal’s Champions League squad because of the ‘long-term’ injury.
Man United must learn JJ Gabriel lesson from Max Dowman
Dowman is easily considered one of the most exciting prospects in English football, but United have an academy star of their own who is making similar waves at Carrington – JJ Gabriel.
Gabriel has scored 11 goals in 12 games for United’s Under-18s, despite being just 15 years old. His latest came in the 1-0 win over Peterborough in his FA Youth Cup debut at Old Trafford.
Should Manchester United debut JJ Gabriel in the FA Cup this season?⭐️
JJ Gabriel in Manchester United warm-up sweater.
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United consider Gabriel a generational talent and have pulled out all the stops to keep him planted at Carrington amid interest from European giants.
READ MORE: Chido Obi reacts to JJ Gabriel’s hat-trick for Man Utd U18s in 7-0 thumping of Liverpool
Gabriel has met with Sir Alex Ferguson and has been promised a pathway to first-team football under Ruben Amorim. But Dowman’s latest injury should remind United that they must be cautious with the 15-year-old talent.
While Gabriel is inching closer to a senior debut, the physicality of first-team football could be a shock to the teenager’s system, and a long-term injury would stunt his progress at Carrington.
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