Michael Carrick will be pleased with JJ Gabriel's reaction to not playing any minutes in the second match of Manchester United's pre-season against Rosenborg.
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Headlines were made days before the match, with 15-year-old JJ Gabriel included in a first-team matchday squad for the first time.
The United youngster impressed for Darren Fletcher's Under-18s last term and likely would have played for the senior side last season if age regulations permitted it. However, as he was 14 years old when the 2025/26 campaign began, he had to wait until this year.
Gabriel trained under Rúben Amorim and Michael Carrick last season – and reports have already said that he could make his first-team debut in 2026/27, despite not even playing for the U21s last season.
His inclusion in the squad against Rosenborg is the closest he has come to first-team minutes so far, but a debut could arrive before the end of pre-season.
Manchester United's travelling squad returned to Carrington the day after their win in Norway, and Gabriel played for the Under-21s side.
As can be seen from his social media, Gabriel netted a goal and an assist for the youth side in 45 minutes of action – a brilliant reaction to missing out against Rosenborg.
Michael Carrick will have been impressed by Gabriel's response and could even look to reward him with his debut in the next pre-season match against Atletico Madrid next weekend.
Manchester United will still be without several first-team players, who will still be on their post-World Cup breaks, allowing for Gabriel to be involved.
Under Darren Fletcher, Gabriel has played as a left-winger, attacking midfielder and centre-forward.
In the FA Youth Cup matches, Gabriel largely played as the No.10, with Noah Ajayi occupying the left-hand side. But the left wing could be Gabriel's best chance for minutes against Atletico Madrid.
Shea Lacey starred as the attacking midfielder against Rosenborg – making the step up to the starting side after impressing from the bench against Wrexham. He will likely start there once again next weekend, leaving Jack Fletcher to take up that spot in the second half.
Gabriel could take Ethan Williams' place on the left wing in the second 45 minutes (or final 30 minutes if Carrick follows the same pattern as last match).
Williams scored against Rosenborg – thanks to a moment of magic from Jaydan Kamason – but is unlikely to remain at Old Trafford this summer after a decent loan to Falkirk last term. The 20-year-old will be hoping for another season of first-team football in 2026/27, which he will not get at United.
On the left flank, United have Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu. Marcus Rashford also looks set to return and potentially stay, while new signing Tynan Thompson will be hoping to play, too.
Cunha, Rashford and Thompson will not play against Atletico Madrid, so now is Gabriel's best chance.