JJ Gabriel, 15, could make Man Utd’s Rosenborg friendly appearance after senior call-up.
One of the most talked about young players in England’s academy system, director of football Jason Wilcox was personally involved in persuading Gabriel to stay at United last summer.
It is part of a concerted effort to bring promising young talent to the Old Trafford club, which includes Thompson’s arrival from Tottenham.
Gabriel began to notice outside the United circles in April 2025.
Striker Victor Musa scored six times when United beat Leeds 13-1 in the Premier Under 18 League match.
But it was the score, or Musa’s double hat-trick that was the biggest talking point of the day – it was 25 minutes from Gabriel on his debut, then aged 14 and a half.
Speed, balance and control were already evident. He also scored two goals to show that he has an eye on goal.
He built on that early promise last season. For many campaigns he looked set to finish as the league’s top goalscorer, only to be replaced by Manchester City’s Teddie Lamb in the final few games.
Gabriel was a standout player last season, scoring 29 goals in 32 appearances for the Red Devils, helping them reach the FA Youth Cup and Premier League Under-18 finals.
He was first called up to first-team training by Ruben Amorim and has been a regular ever since, with Carrick keeping a close eye on United’s academy teams.
Gabriel was not involved in last week’s defeat by Wrexham in Helsinki as he returned to training less than a week earlier, but United are treating the former talent carefully.
The teenager was invited to the directors’ box several times last season and met Sir Alex Ferguson following the draw with West Ham at Old Trafford in December.
Such access is not uncommon, underscoring how much promise United see in the youngster.
In context, Gabriel is about to enter his GCSE year. He played – and scored – in last season’s FA Youth Cup at a younger age than Manchester United figures such as Duncan Edwards and Eddie Colman of the Busby Babes and Ryan Giggs.
Of course, there have been plenty of talented young players – Arsenal’s Max Dowman is a current example. Not all fulfill their potential.
What gives more hope about Gabriel is his size.
He had such a big impact despite his small frame. United’s coaching staff moved him into the center where he liked to cut in from the left last season to prevent him from bigger and stronger defenders who might try to muscle him in the way.
It was believed that Gabriel would grow up this summer and judging by his social media feed, he has been working on it.
Having decided to target the youth market to offer the best chance for future success, it would not be useful to hold back someone who is already at his level, so Gabriel’s call-up to Norway makes perfect sense.
If Gabriel plays in Norway he will be one of the youngest players ever to play the senior game. The youngest player to appear in United’s competitive game is David Gaskell, a goalkeeper who made his debut aged 16 years and 19 days. Gabriel won’t be 16 until October 6th.
Not everyone in Carrick’s squad is guaranteed to play.
United took 25 men to Helsinki when they lost to Wrexham. Although Carrick selected completely different teams for each half, goalkeeper Dermot Mee, midfielder Jim Thwaites and striker Chido Obi were not used.
But if he gets a chance it will teach the United coaches to see how he copes with bigger opponents. That will determine Gabriel’s schedule for future matches as United’s World Cup players begin to return.
