Man Utd U18s scored a last gasp winner to secure a 2-1 victory against Burnley in the Premier League Group North.
Louie Bradbury celebrates.(Image: 2026 Manchester United FC)
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Manchester United Under-18s won against Burnley in the Premier League Group North on Tuesday afternoon. Louie Bradbury scored a brace, and his last gasp match-winner was assisted by JJ Gabriel.
Bradbury scored with a first-time finish to claim a 2-1 victory. Gabriel showed maturity by picking up his head and picking out the right pass when he had the option to shoot himself.
Gabriel has been the talisman for the U18s. The 15-year-old has scored 13 goals in 16 league appearances, but he demonstrated awareness when he made the decision to find Bradbury in the box.
Darren Fletcher has returned to manage the U18s after a brief stint as first-team caretaker. Fletcher's side are second in the league, four points adrift of Manchester City, who have three games in hand.
City are in pole position to lift the league title, but Fletcher is hoping his side can go all the way in the FA Youth Cup after last week's win against Derby County in the fourth round.
Gabriel started against Derby at Old Trafford, while Chido Obi dropped down to play because he is still eligible for the competition. Gabriel is unable to make his senior debut this season, though, because he is too young to feature in the Premier League and United crashed out of the FA Cup against Brighton.
The youngster was eligible to feature in the FA Cup under competition rules, leading to speculation he would be involved against Brighton, but Fletcher confirmed he was not ready to make a senior squad.
"JJ is a fantastic talent," Fletcher 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."