Gabriel’s Promising Future at Manchester United: A Young Talent on the Rise

As initially reported by the Manchester Evening News, Gabriel participated in Manchester United’s training sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday in preparation for their upcoming match against Tottenham. While his inclusion on Tuesday was perceived as a necessity to bolster numbers due to other senior players taking recovery time, Gabriel’s presence on Wednesday coincided with a full squad.

Interim manager Darren Fletcher also opted to reintegrate twin midfielders Jack and Tyler Fletcher, sons of club legend and recent interim boss Darren, into the first team. Jack Moorhouse was back in training after a loan spell with Leyton Orient, and 17-year-old full-back Yuel Helafu was the fifth young talent to train with the squad.

Gabriel has been regarded as a potential standout at United since the age of 14, having impressed in the academy. His rise to prominence began even earlier when he was just nine years old, thanks to viral YouTube highlights under the moniker ‘Kid Messi.’

At just 15 years old, Gabriel has already secured a Nike boot deal and has scored 11 goals in 16 matches for United’s Under-18s this season, including a hat-trick in a 7-0 victory over Liverpool and a goal in his debut at Old Trafford during a 1-0 win against Peterborough in the FA Youth Cup.

However, due to Premier League regulations, Gabriel is unable to make his senior debut this season. He was eligible for the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, but United’s early exits from both competitions mean he will have to wait until the 2026-27 season for his first-team debut.

During his tenure as interim boss, Fletcher explained the decision not to select Gabriel for the FA Cup match against Brighton. He stated, “JJ is a fantastic talent. I’ve enjoyed working with him immensely and getting to know him. He has generated considerable hype, which is well-deserved, as he is a truly gifted young player.

“His dedication is remarkable; he loves everything about football—training, playing, and expressing himself. He makes excellent decisions and possesses an enthusiasm for the game that is truly inspiring. Being 15 years old, he has a bright future ahead of him. I am excited about his talent, but it is crucial that he continues to develop while playing with the Under-18s, where he is performing exceptionally well. However, there is still much for him to learn.

“He is maturing within that environment, and the future is bright for him; he just needs to continue his journey, and his time will come. For now, it may be a bit premature to introduce him to the first team, and I believe many would concur with that perspective.

“I cannot speak highly enough of JJ. He has a wonderful family supporting him, and we are thrilled to have him at the club. We hope he keeps improving and enjoying football, expressing himself, and scoring goals to help the Manchester United Under-18s win games, which would make me very happy.

Gabriel does not turn 16 until October, and should he make his United debut at the start of the 2026-27 season, he will break the record as the club’s youngest-ever player. This record is currently held by David Gaskell, who made his debut in 1956 at the age of 16 years and 19 days.