Manchester United have a new star in the making in 15-year-old JJ Gabriel.
United have prided themselves on producing the best young talent throughout their history with their latest prodigy regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in world football.
Gabriel was promoted to United’s Under-18 side at the start of the season and has proven he is already too good for that level with 23 goals in 23 appearances, clinching the U18 Premier League player of the season award this week.
He can top off an extraordinary campaign tonight with United in action against Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup final.
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Aged 15 and seven months, Gabriel is still a year off sitting his GCSEs but is regarded as the next huge talent to emerge off the production line at Carrington.
Already, he has trained with the first-team, been invited into the director’s box on matchdays and met with Sir Alex Ferguson, a man who knows a thing or two about spotting and placing trust in emerging talent.
Gabriel was on the radar of former United boss Ruben Amorim with Michael Carrick, expected to get the full time job, closely monitoring his progress this season.
Under-18s manager Darren Fletcher has overseen his rise in the Under-18 side and has no doubts over where he is heading.
‘He has a major future and is somebody I’ve enjoyed working with immensely,’ Fletcher said this week.
‘His next steps are something people above me will decide. We want him to go up there and thrive, so we need to get him in the position to do that.’
Gabriel has operated across the attacking line for United this season having also been deployed as a centre forward by Fletcher. Possessing outrageous skill and balance and outstanding ability with either foot, the hype is certainly justified with his style reminiscent of a young Neymar.
Among his outstanding contributions this season was a sublime hat-trick in a 7-0 thrashing of Liverpool at the end of November. Even among the catalogue of youth successes dotted through United’s rich history, his feats this season have set a new standard.
Despite the immense potential, it is still early days with the path from academy sensation to senior player an uncertain one. But with United’s current squad short on stand-out academy talent, already there will be questions of when Gabriel could be unleashed on the first-team.
When can JJ Gabriel play for Manchester United first-team?
Max Dowman was aged just 15 when he made his Premier League debut for Arsenal back in August, making 12 appearances in total.
With United already qualified for next season’s Champions League and third place almost in the bag, now might be considered a good time to give Gabriel his first taste of first-team action with two games of the season left. But Premier League rules prevent him from doing so this term.
Rules state a player can only feature in the Premier League if they are aged 15 by 31 August. Having only turned 15 in October, Gabriel must wait until the 2026-27 campaign to make his mark on the English top flight.
Dowman, who turned 15 last December, comfortably made that cut-off.
Should he continue to sparkle for the Under-18s, Gabriel will surely be in the frame to make his senior debut next season where he would have the chance to become United’s youngest player in history – a record currently held by Angel Gomes who made his first appearance aged 16 years and 263 days.
Just how good is JJ Gabriel?
Gabriel is considered to be the most exceptional young talent to progress through United’s youth ranks in recent years and across the game at youth level, is regarded as the best player in the country born in 2010.
In addition to those Neymar comparisons, his ability to effortlessly take the ball on the turn has seen him likened to Phil Foden, who progressed through the youth academy over the way at Manchester City.
Football is littered with stories of unique talents failing to make the step up to men’s football. Angel Gomes, who currently holds the record of United’s youngest player in history, carved out a fine career for himself in France having also been recognised at international level, now back in England with Wolves. But he made just 10 more appearances for United after his debut. United’s next youngest debutant Shola Shoretire is currently playing for Dutch club Zwolle, on loan from Greek outfit PAOK.
The situation with Gabriel feels different though and United’s biggest problem might be keeping holding of him. Barcelona’s interest is well-documented and the teenager holds an Irish passport through his dad, former Republic of Ireland intranational Joe O’Cearuill, meaning any move abroad would be free of any Brexit red tape.
United will be counting the days until he is eligible to sign his first professional contract at 17.
Tony Mogan, live sports editor
Gabriel ‘a crazy talent’
Wes Brown, an academy graduate himself who went onto win five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two Champions Leagues with United, is among those who have watched Gabriel’s rise with increasing excitement.
The former defender has no doubts over Gabriel’s talent, suggesting the only dilemma facing United is at what point in the season they choose to bring him in next term.
Pointing to the impact Lamine Yamal had at Barcelona after making his debut just shy of his 16th birthday, Brown believes it will happen sooner rather than later for Gabriel.
‘The talent is there. Crazy talent,’ Brown told Metro.
‘It is about timing with JJ Gabriel. For United, it is about getting him in in at the right time where he can do well where he will be appreciated.
‘The best example is with what Barcelona have done with Lamine Yamal. The talent was there, we know that now.
‘If you bring him in too early and it doesn’t work out the door can shut a little bit. Everyone knows how talented you are but the opportunities can become less.
‘What I will say, watching Gabriel is, he is fearless, he is always trying to make something happen. The way he glides past players is unbelievable.
‘Next season he will definitely be in the conversation but it will be about timing. Not to put him under pressure and telling him “we need you” because you don’t need that at that sort of age.
‘He just needs to enjoy his football and when his opportunities comes, enjoy it. But it will happen for him.’