Man Utd star JJ Gabriel is banned from making Premier League debut this season | Football | Sport

Manchester United prospect JJ Gabriel has been training with Michael Carrick’s first-team squad ahead of this weekend’s clash with Tottenham. The 15-year-old is one of United’s brightest academy talents and was afforded the opportunity to train with the senior players under Ruben Amorim on multiple occasions, and has now been given the same honour under Carrick.

The teenage wonderkid has started in both of United’s FA Youth Cup victories so far this season. Carrick watched the win over Derby County at Old Trafford last month, in which Wayne Rooney’s son Kai also played. Gabriel has 14 goals in 19 league games for the Red Devils’ Under-18s this season and is making a huge impression behind the scenes.

But despite his exceptional displays at youth level and impressing in training, Gabriel will not be eligible to make his first-team debut until next season.

This is because Premier League regulations stipulate that a player must have turned 15 by August 31st to feature this season. Gabriel only marked his 15th birthday in October, and will not turn 16 for another eight months. He is unable to sign a professional contract at United until his 17th birthday.

The age restrictions do not apply in the FA Cup but United were dumped out in round three at home to Brighton. Gabriel was not in the squad although fellow youngsters Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher and Shea Lacey – who was sent off for two yellow cards – were in the 20-man selection.

Lacey, 18, made his Premier League debut in the defeat at Aston Villa in December. On top of scoring eight goals in eight Premier League 2 games, he has made three senior appearances this term.

United are hopeful of a big future for both Lacey and Gabriel, who United Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher is a huge fan of.

“JJ is a fantastic talent,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed working with him immensely, getting to know him. He’s a young lad with a massive sort of hype, you know there’s a lot of noise around him and deservedly so because he’s a real talented kid.

“He works hard. First thing I’d say is he loves football. He loves training, he loves playing, he loves having the ball, he loves expressing himself. He makes fantastic decisions.

“He’s got an enthusiasm for the game that’s just amazing. 15-year-old, a bright future ahead of him. I’m super excited by his talent, but the most important thing is that he keeps developing, and he’s in the U18s team, and he’s doing fantastically well, but he’s still got lots to learn.

“He’s developing within there. But the world’s his oyster and he just needs to go on his journey and his time will come in due course. But for just now, it’s a little bit early (to put him in the first team) I think and I think a lot of people would agree with me.

“But I couldn’t speak highly enough of JJ. He’s got an amazing family and amazing support around him and he’s somebody we’re delighted to have at the club.

“And we just hope he keeps improving, learning every day and just keep being the boy that he is really and enjoying love and playing football and going and expressing themselves and scoring lots of goals so the Manchester United under 18s win every game. And then I’ll be a happy man.”