JJ Gabriel trained with the Manchester United first-team this weekplaceholder image
JJ Gabriel trained with the Manchester United first-team this week | Manchester United via Getty Images
Man Utd face Aston Villa in a crucial fixture this weekend for Champions League qualification.
United head into the match third in the Premier League and know victory over Villa would significantly boost their hopes of Champions League qualification. Michael Carrick tasted his first defeat as United head coach against Newcastle last week and will hope to see his side bounce back with a win on Sunday afternoon.
The club posted images from their latest training session this week, with four senior players absent from the gallery. Lisandro Martinez is not expected to be involved against Villa following his recent calf strain, while Matthijs De Ligt and Mason Mount are also still sidelined. Patrick Dorgu is a long-term injury absentee and is not expected back in action until after the March international break. There was some good news on the fitness front with Noussair Mazraoui set to be fit for the weekend after he picked up a knock in the Newcastle defeat.
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JJ Gabriel trains with Manchester United first-team
JJ Gabriel was involved in Manchester United first-team training once again as they prepare to face Aston Villa in the Premier League this weekend.
The 15-year-old has been a standout performer at youth level for United this season and has regularly trained with the senior side, despite the fact he can't play for them. As he was only 14 when the current season began, Gabriel is ineligible to feature for either the United first-team or the U21s this campaign.
Gabriel, who has been dubbed the 'next Neymar', has scored 20 goals in 22 appearances for the U18s this season, with nine goals in his last six matches. He hopes to make headlines again next week when United host Sunderland in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford.
United also included teenage centre-back Albert Mills in the latest first-team session to give him some priceless experience. The 18-year-old trained with the seniors under Ruben Amorim earlier in the season and was involved again this week after he scored for the U18s in their recent Youth Cup win over Oxford United.
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