Manchester United training photos have dropped before the Premier League clash against Aston Villa and JJ Gabriel has been spotted at Carrington.
JJ Gabriel, at just 15 years old, is already one of the most exciting prospects coming through the ranks at Manchester United.
With interest in Gabriel from Barcelona and Real Madrid, United are eager to show the teenage sensation that there is a clear pathway to first-team football for him here in Manchester.
It was reported last month that Michael Carrick called up Gabriel to first-team training to gauge his talent, and clearly the teenager has impressed as he has been kept around.
JJ Gabriel pictured with Leny Yoro in Manchester United training.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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JJ Gabriel celebrates, in Man Utd red kit
Photo by Anthony Devlin/Manchester United via Getty Images
JJ Gabriel is getting valuable first-team experience at Man Utd
On Thursday morning, United’s official X account published photos of training at Carrington and eagle-eyed fans spotted JJ Gabriel.
The young forward was pictured alongside Bryan Mbeumo in a training drill.
Carrick has been watching United academy games, so he will be familiar with how Gabriel is performing for the Under-18s, and clearly he and his staff believe he is ready to mix it with the first-team players.
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United staff have compared Gabriel to Ryan Giggs because of his outstanding talent at such a young age.
Albert Mills, Godwill Kukonki, Jack Fletcher and Tyler Fletcher were also spotted involved in first-team training this week.
There is no stopping JJ Gabriel right now!
JJ Gabriel 6-0 graphic
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When JJ Gabriel can make his first-team debut for Man Utd
This is not the first time that Gabriel has been included in first-team training, and clearly Carrick and his staff believe he is good enough to be training with senior stars on a weekly basis.
It is therefore safe to assume that JJ Gabriel’s first-team debut is on the horizon, but the teenager will have to be patient.
Gabriel has been blocked from playing Under-21s football for United this season because of his age at the start of the season.
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To add to his frustration, Gabriel is too young to play in the Premier League, so a first-team debut in 2025/26 is not on the cards.
However, this experience in first-team training should set up Gabriel nicely to impress over the pre-season tour and potentially make his breakthrough in 2026/27.
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