Photo by Zohaib Alam/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Zohaib Alam/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel scored a hat-trick on his first ever UEFA Youth League appearance.
Before his inevitable charge into the Manchester United first team, the club are making sure JJ Gabriel does not skip any steps.
Rather than throw him onto the senior bench against Sabah, United selected Gabriel with the UEFA Youth League squad.
This was the first time United were back in the competition since 2023/24, and for the majority of the players with Jack Fletcher and exception, this was their debut.
Gabriel, only 15, stepped up and stole the show by scoring a hat-trick as Manchester United’s young side won 5-0.
The teenager scored the team’s third, fourth and fifth goals in a one-sided game that was a real showcase for the club’s academy talent.
Gabriel had scored on his FA Youth Cup debut last year and now he has a UEFA Youth League hat-trick debut on his CV. He is building an impressive portfolio of achievements already.
JJ Gabriel playing against Leicester City U21
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
Confident Man Utd breeze past Sabah FK in UEFA Youth League as JJ Gabriel completes hat-trick
Confident Man Utd breeze past Sabah FK in UEFA Youth League as JJ Gabriel completes hat-trick
JJ Gabriel grabs limelight
JJ Gabriel’s rise has made headline news and his academy performances for Manchester United this season have only added to the hype.
ESPN reported; “Gabriel has yet to make Michael Carrick’s squad for a competitive match but the teenager, who turns 16 next month, continues to knock on the door.”
The Sun reported: “Gabriel is widely considered one of the best talents in the Man Utd academy. At just 15 years old, he could potentially make his Premier League debut with the senior squad this season.”
TNT Sports also covered his contribution, noting that Gabriel became United’s youngest ever UEFA Youth League scorer.
They wrote: “The hat-trick will only add to the growing excitement around Gabriel, who has broken several records at United in recent years.”
TalkSport added: “Man United’s Gabriel continues to show why he is considered one of the best young players on the planet.”
Manchester United's Belgian goalkeeper #01 Senne Lammens, Manchester United's Moroccan defender #03 Noussair Mazraoui, Manchester United's Slovenian striker #30 Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United's French defender #15 Leny Yoro, Manchester United's English midfielder #37 Kobbie Mainoo (front row from L to R) Manchester United's Brazilian striker #10 Matheus Cunha, Manchester United's Cameroonian midfielder #19 Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United's Belgian midfielder #18 Youri Tielemans, Manchester United's Argentinian defender #06 Lisandro Martinez, Manchester United's Danish defender #13 Patrick Dorgu and Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes poses for a team photo before the UEFA Champions League football match between Manchester United and Sabah FK at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 10, 2026.
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
Growing speculation over JJ Gabriel’s next step
JJ Gabriel’s impressive form for the academy has ramped up speculation whether he could become Manchester United’s youngest ever player.
United’s youngest player ever in David Gaskell, who made his debut at 16 all the way back in 1950.
Gabriel does not turn 18 until October, and there is a chance the teenager is called upon for a historic record.
United face Brighton at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup next week, which could present Michael Carrick with an opportunity to call Gabriel for a debut.