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Few things around Old Trafford or Carrington generate more excitement than the name JJ Gabriel.
Manchester United’s famed academy has always produced some of the best and brightest stars in the country and beyond.
This generation is extra special as the likes of Shea Lacey, Chido Obi and Jack Fletcher are just three of the names frequently discussed as being the next starlet to jump up to the senior team.
Nonetheless, despite only just turning 15 years old, Gabriel’s potential is already making waves around youth football across the continent.
Who is he?
The player dubbed “Kid Messi” was promoted to the under-18 team in 2024 at just 14 years old.
His talent is so clear that sportswear giants Nike, signed him to a lucrative contract in March this year, highlighting the future they see him having in the game.
The youngster has since become a regular for the under-18s and he has not looked back.
Why is he so highly-rated?
The player’s incredible technical ability was shown off in a video of him playing wall tennis with his feet and juggling the tiny ball effortlessly across Carrington.
Many insiders at the club already feel he has a technical level on par with a lot of the first team dressing room.
What’s more, he has also been tipped to be the club’s youngest ever debut maker at senior level owing to his outrageous potential.
His incredible form for the under-18s is also scarcely believable considering he has just turned 15 this month.
In spite of his age, he has scored seven goals in six games for the under-18s and frankly already looks too good for the level.
His versatility and incredible game understanding for someone so young are other reasons that scouts can’t get enough of the player.
Alfie Brooks, the owner of Ole Futsal Academy in East London where Gabriel played stated, “I’ve coached nearly 1,000 youth players in my time and JJ is the best I’ve ever seen.”
Brooks added, “he could now walk into a dressing room of a club in the Premier League and stand head and shoulders above it technically. No discussion possible. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
Future
After talks with head coach Ruben Amorim, Gabriel finally decided to commit his future to United in the past summer.
Nonetheless, the Red Devils will not take anything for granted as numerous Bundesliga clubs and Real Madrid have already been linked with a move for the talented starlet.
Therefore, the club will be keen to keep him convinced that Old Trafford is the best place for his development.
It is logical that if his form continues, he will soon move up to under-21 level and there have been rumours he may even make a senior matchday squad before the season is out.
Whatever happens, the story of JJ Gabriel at Manchester United will certainly be an intriguing one.
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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
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