Manchester United have made a key change to their academy sides that could help the club's top prospects
JJ Gabriel of Manchester United
JJ Gabriel has captured attention with his star displays for Manchester United's academy sides(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Manchester United prospects have been handed a boost as they seek to make their Manchester United debuts during Michael Carrick's reign. JJ Gabriel and Kai Rooney are among the notable academy hopefuls vying to break into Carrick's squad.
Teenage prodigy Gabriel turned heads with his remarkable U18 displays last term, netting 26 goals across 29 matches. He has now progressed to the U21s, scoring twice and providing two assists in his two outings. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Kai, the eldest son of United legend Wayne Rooney, will have his immediate focus on becoming a regular for the U18s.
Gabriel is cleared to feature in the Premier League this season as he continues to shine at youth level. The 15-year-old played for the first team during pre-season and Carrick has consistently lauded the young attacking midfielder, who is also capable of operating as a striker.
The club's academy talents will be hoping to catch the United manager's attention, particularly given that he attends United's U21 and U18 fixtures. A major tactical adjustment should ensure a smoother pathway to the first team for their academy starlets.
United's academy players have now been helped in their quest to make a first-team breakthrough by U21 boss Adam Lawrence switching from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 system. Under Carrick, the new rule of replicating the senior side's formation should ensure that the club's youngsters, including Gabriel and Rooney, have a clearer grasp of their responsibilities when they step up to the senior side.
The Daily Mail reports that the tactical shift enables Gabriel to study Bruno Fernandes' No. 10 role. Meanwhile, the U21s have mirrored Carrick's use of Matheus Cunha as a false nine by deploying Amir Ibragimov as their striker.
The report suggests that loaning out Chido Obi and allowing Louie Bradbury to sign for Stoke City could signal a long-term plan centring on false nines. A shift away from traditional strikers might also provide Gabriel with another chance to break into the United first team, considering his impressive record as an academy prospect.
Kai Rooney of Manchester United
Kai Rooney signed a scholarship deal earlier this summer(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Carrick was present as Gabriel made his United U21s debut last month. The 15-year-old found the net and set up two goals in a 5-0 victory over Ipswich Town, drawing admiration from the first team manager.
"I thought the boys played ever so well, actually," Carrick said after the game. "Really good team, really strong team that we had, and you could see that the quality. I really enjoyed the game. Really pleased with the boys, the way they went about it. The quality, the attitude, everything about the game was really good. So, really encouraged by that.
"JJ is one of the boys. He's obviously got a really big talent. He's trained with us quite a bit. He's getting experience all the time. He's physically adapting to each step that he makes, and just continuing his development."
JJ Gabriel of Manchester United
JJ Gabriel featured for Manchester United during pre-season(Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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While Gabriel continues to garner attention, United star Bryan Mbeumo has suggested the teenager could be better suited to a different role on the pitch. The forward previously hinted that the attacking midfielder may thrive out wide for the Red Devils.
"He's actually kind of a winger, he's a dribbler and even in front of the box, I still think he's good, honestly," Mbeumo told Zack En Roue Libre in March. "He's strong, the little guy is strong. Yeah, he's strong, he's really something, frankly... I think he's 15.
"You feel that he's bound to be a little kid but he trains quite a bit with us and actually you see, you can feel that the little guy has something special."
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