Manchester United's JJ Gabriel continues to shine for the Under-18s and was even watched by Michael Carrick last week in the FA Youth Cup
JJ Gabriel in action during the U18 Premier League match between Middlesbrough U18 and Manchester United U18 at Rockliffe Park
JJ Gabriel appears to have a bright future at Manchester United(Image: Getty)
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Manchester United prodigy JJ Gabriel continues to generate attention within the club's academy. However, despite some supporters suggesting he should gain experience elsewhere on loan, the 15-year-old will remain at the club.
The London-born forward had stints at several prominent academies in the capital, including Chelsea and Arsenal, before joining Carrington in 2022. Since arriving, Gabriel has been exceptional.
At just 14 years old, he made his debut for United's Under-18s and last year signed a long-term scholarship deal. He has scored prolifically throughout the club's youth system and netted his 15th and 16th goals of this campaign for the Under-18s at the weekend against Wolves.
With Gabriel displaying such potential, some have proposed that he secure senior experience on loan elsewhere. He is ineligible to feature for United's senior side this season. However, it is also impossible for Gabriel to depart Carrington on a temporary basis.
Firstly, the 15-year-old is currently on a scholarship deal, not a professional contract. This means he is not professionally registered and therefore cannot be loaned out through standard arrangements. Young players are unable to sign professional contracts until they reach 17.
Manchester United's JJ Gabriel celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal of the game during the Under 18 Premier League between Manchester United U18s and Middlesbrough U18s at Carrington Training Ground
Gabriel can't be sent out on loan(Image: Getty)
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Though Gabriel could also sign a pre-professional arrangement, which automatically converts into a professional contract when he turns 17. Gabriel will reach that age in October 2027, so until then we won't see him on loan. There is another option for young players in the UK: the FA permits academy players to undertake Work Experience loans.
This involves a youngster who has reached school leaving age and is registered with a Premier League or EFL team temporarily joining a lower league club. They would continue training with their parent team. However, as these can only be undertaken at 16, this is also not an option for Gabriel.
It could be argued that United would prefer to keep Gabriel at Carrington and develop him as he continues to train with their first team. In essence, Gabriel is too young to be sent on loan and isn't even a professional yet. Moreover, even if he were older and eligible to be loaned out, most transfer windows around Europe are currently closed.
So it's almost certain that Gabriel won't be seen with any club other than United until late 2027 at the earliest. United, however, will likely be hoping he enjoys a long career with them if he can fulfil his immense potential and may not see the need to loan him out if he can break into the first team picture at Old Trafford.
JJ Gabriel of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground
The 15-year-old has trained with Carrick's first team(Image: Getty)
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Current first-team manager Michael Carrick has been in attendance to watch Gabriel this season and was present when the Under-18s faced Oxford United in the FA Youth Cup last week.
The 15-year-old found the back of the net in that 4-1 victory and Carrick, speaking to MUTV afterwards, said: "Yeah, it was good. I enjoyed it. It's good to get our eyes on some of the younger players and how they're doing.
"For them to feel that connection. I was really pleased with Colin [Little] and Fletch [Darren Fletcher] and the boys and I thought they played really well in tough conditions, actually. So to get a good result and move on was a good night."
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