Man Utd call up wonderkid JJ Gabriel, 15, after Michael Carrick’s intervention | Football | Sport

Manchester United prodigy JJ Gabriel has been given his first taste of senior training under Michael Carrick this week. The 15-year-old has caught the eye with his displays in the academy, having started in both of United’s FA Youth Cup victories this season. Gabriel boasts an impressive record of 14 goals in 19 appearances for the Under-18s in the league this campaign and has already participated in several first-team training sessions.

Ruben Amorim had previously called upon the teenager before his departure. According to The Sun, Gabriel was invited to join United’s first-team training session this week after catching Carrick’s attention. The report suggests that senior academy players were unavailable as they featured in Monday night’s 5-1 victory over West Brom for the under-21s. United’s players were given Monday off, whilst Tuesday served as a recovery day for those who started in the 3-2 triumph over Fulham.

Gabriel is ineligible to feature in the Premier League at 15, meaning his professional bow will have to wait until next season kicks off.

Following January’s transfer activity, United have seen numerous academy players depart on temporary deals until the end of the season. Sekou Kone, Jacob Devaney, Gabriele Biancheri, Ethan Wheatley and James Scanlon all secured deadline day loan moves.

Darren Fletcher, the Under-18s manager, has previously voiced his support for the rising star, stating that the buzz surrounding the young player is ‘deserved’, despite him not being fielded in the FA Cup defeat to Brighton. The decision was made not to rush Gabriel into the first team.

“JJ is a fantastic talent,” Fletcher enthused. “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 years old, has 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.”