Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manchester United know they have a wonderkid gem in JJ Gabriel, and he’s being groomed for the ultimate Man Utd role after Michael Carrick’s role change.
In the early stages of the season, the chances have been few and far between for the youngsters as the fixture schedule is yet to pick up.
Even when the schedule gets harder, it’s unlikely that JJ Gabriel is a key part of the first team as there are concerns about his physicality right now.
Why Man Utd and Michael Carrick could also be waiting is that Gabriel is being groomed for the ultimate role at Old Trafford.
JJ Gabriel, Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United in action during a training session at Carrington Training Ground on September 02, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Michael Carrick brings rule change to Man Utd academy
Under Ruben Amorim, there was a clear disconnect between the first-team and the academy.
That academy was more than just philosophical, as many might think, given how Amorim looked at the youngsters with doubt.
The root of that disconnect stemmed from the club not committing to his system from the ground up.
As Amorim tried to instil his principles and formation in the first team, the academy continued to play a completely different style of play.
The back-four setup remained as it was, and the youngsters faced a difficult time transitioning to a completely different set of demands when they stepped up to the first team.
Carrick’s formation and philosophy mirrored closely that of the academy anyway, but he has also made a concerted effort to synchronise it across the club.
Even the finer details of the first-team structure are now trickling down, with the academy teams playing the same 4-2-3-1 with a false 9 right now since Matheus Cunha plays up top for the seniors.
Amidst these changes, it’s interesting to note the role JJ Gabriel is playing.
JJ Gabriel is getting Bruno Fernandes’ No. 10 role
Replacing Bruno Fernandes at Man Utd is going to be the ultimate responsibility at Man Utd, and United are grooming JJ Gabriel for it.
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Gabriel has played as a striker, on the left, and as a No. 10 so far, but as Carrick brings alignment, he has been given the Fernandes role in the academy.
The wonderkid is a different type of player from Fernandes, as he’s more prolific and technical in close spaces, but the ceiling is scary.
This setup is aimed fully at making Gabriel comfortable in Fernandes’ position, which is why Amir Ibragimov, who was a defensive midfielder at times last year, is now doing Cunha’s thankless job.
United could have easily made Gabriel the false 9 as it suits his skills more, but they have identified him to take over the most important role in the senior team eventually.
If there was anybody with the natural talent and potential to eventually pull it off, it’s him.