Man Utd teenager JJ Gabriel was coached by Darren Fletcher in the Under-18s before his caretaker appointment.
JJ Gabriel pictured scoring for the U18s.(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
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Manchester United caretaker boss Darren Fletcher has confirmed JJ Gabriel will not be included in the squad against Brighton in the FA Cup this weekend. Gabriel is just 15 years old, which means he cannot play in the Premier League, but he is eligible to feature in the FA Cup under competition rules.
Gabriel has 11 goals in 14 appearances for United's Under-18s this season. Fletcher was formerly U18 boss before his promotion to caretaker duties, meaning he worked closely with the exciting teenager. United invited Gabriel and his family into the directors' box against Arsenal at the beginning of the season, and the youngster has already taken part in a handful of first-team training sessions.
And while fans have speculated the forward could be included in an FA Cup squad, Fletcher confirmed he would not be involved against Brighton at Old Trafford this weekend.
"Well, he could be, but he's not going to be because obviously anybody could be picked," said Fletcher. "JJ is a fantastic talent," he said. "I've enjoyed working with him immensely, getting to know him. He's a young lad with a massive sort of hype, you know there's a lot of noise around him and deservedly so because he's a real talented kid.
"He works hard. First thing I'd say is he loves football. He loves training, he loves playing, he loves having the ball, he loves expressing himself. He makes fantastic decisions.
"He's just got an enthusiasm for the game that's just amazing. 15-year-old, a bright future ahead of him. I'm super excited by his talent, but the most important thing is that he keeps developing, and he's in the U18s team, and he's doing fantastically well, but he's still got lots to learn.
"He's developing within there. But the world's his oyster and he just needs to go on his journey and his time will come in due course. But for just now, it's a little bit early I think and I think a lot of people would agree with me.
"But I couldn't speak highly enough of JJ. He's got an amazing family and amazing support around him and he's somebody we're delighted to have at the club.
"And we just hope he keeps improving, learning every day and just keep being the boy that he is really and enjoying love and playing football and going and expressing themselves and scoring lots of goals so the Manchester United under 18s win every game. And then I'll be a happy man."
Gabriel became the youngest player to represent United in the FA Youth Cup last month. He started against Peterborough and scored the match-winner in a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Gabriel started aged 15 years, two months and three days, breaking the record previously held by United academy graduate Omari Forson (15 years and four months). The online records tracking United's Youth Cup appearance makers began from the 2006/2007 season.
Ruben Amorim was asked about Gabriel before Christmas. "Like everyone, I know he is a really talented guy and everyone paid attention on social media," said Amorim.
"You could see the Under-21s had a game and we had fewer players and tried to pick players for training that have talent, not just for me to see for tomorrow, but for them to feel what it means to be in the first team, the difficulties playing against our defenders, the difficulty of our training, the pace.
"If we can use every training we have to show the kids what they need to do to be here, it is important, not just for JJ but for everyone."