Photo by Zohaib Alam/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Zohaib Alam/Manchester United via Getty Images
JJ Gabriel’s stunning hat-trick for Manchester United in the UEFA Youth League made history, but his teammate is quietly beginning to show his top-level talent again.
It was a comprehensive victory for Manchester United’s U19s to beat Sabah 5-0 on Thursday, with JJ Gabriel stealing the headlines.
Amir Ibragimov also starred in the game, but a third player was catching the eye with his impressive display that demonstrated his world-class potential.
Getty Images
Manchester United youngster Jayden Ngwashi in action for England U17.
Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images
Jayden Ngwashi has the world at his feet right now
After recent campaigns saw injury problems, it would be easy to forget just how incredible Jayden Ngwashi is as a centre-back prospect.
If it wasn’t for injuries, Ngwashi would be in first-team contention right now, but this season he is back to full-fitness and looks every bit the talent he was believed to be 18 months ago.
Ngwashi was in senior training under Ruben Amorim, and after his latest performance against Sabah in the UEFA Youth League, he won’t be far off again.
There is a real chance that Ngwashi will be Carrington’s first elite defensive product to come through with his composure, reading of the game, and on-ball ability all top class for his age.
If Ngwashi stays injury-free, he really does have the world at his feet as a centre-back in the same way Axel Tuanzebe did before injury cost the Carrington graduate from becoming a superstar.
He has a pretty solid pathway to the first team as well, with that right-sided centre-back position lacking for United with an ageing Harry Maguire, injured Matthijs de Ligt, and a very high-potential yet unproven Leny Yoro.
It is completely feasible that Ngwashi continues his stunning season, earns Michael Carrick’s attention, and is competing for a place in 2027, maybe even at right-back initially if United are to continue wanting a more centre-back style full-back.
Ngwashi had become forgotten in the past couple of seasons, but he’s back with a vengeance right now.
Manchester United v Intercontinental FA: Super Cup NI - Boys Premier
Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
Manchester United rate Ngwashi incredibly highly
In July 2025, United signed contracts with Ngwashi and Gabriel, tying both prospects down for the foreseeable future in a move that could end up being a decision worth hundreds of millions.
Of course, Gabriel still has to agree to a scholarship with a first-team debut expected very soon to convince him to sign it. But Ngwashi being signed to a deal so early also shows how good the club thinks he is.
Ngwashi holds an Italian passport, and it was thought that he might have interest from Serie A, as well as the Premier League. So getting him secured to a long-term contract was so important.
Ngwashi could soon be stepping up to the U21s, which is when we will get to seriously see how his level is. But as of right now, the wonderkid looks elite and we cannot wait to see how good he ends up being, because the sky is the limit.