Manchester United have made a change at the academy level that could benefit JJ Gabriel and the club’s other top prospects
JJ Gabriel has received a boost to his hopes of making his competitive Manchester United debut due to a change made during Michael Carrick’s tenure. The 15-year-old is one of several academy prospects with hopes of breaking into Carrick’s team this season.
Teenage sensation Gabriel captured attention with his eye-catching U18 performances last term, scoring 26 goals in 29 games. He has since stepped up to the U21s, scoring twice and recording two assists across his two appearances.
Gabriel is eligible to play in the Premier League this season as he continues to make waves at the age group level. Gabriel featured for the first team during pre-season, and Carrick has repeatedly praised the young attacking midfielder, who can also play as a striker.
Many academy players are hoping to catch the United manager’s eye, given that he attends United’s U21 and U18 games. A crucial rule change should create a smoother transition to the first team for the club’s rising stars.
United’s academy players have now been aided in their efforts to make a first-team impact by U21 boss Adam Lawrence switching from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 system. Under Carrick, the new policy of mirroring the senior side’s formation should ensure that the club’s youngsters, including Gabriel, have a better understanding of their roles when they move up to the senior side.
The Daily Mail reports that the formation change allows Gabriel to learn Bruno Fernandes’ No.10 position. Meanwhile, the U21s have copied Carrick’s deployment of Matheus Cunha as a false nine by playing Amir Ibragimov up front.
The report adds that the decisions to send Chido Obi out on loan and allow Louie Bradbury to join Stoke City could hint at a long-term strategy involving false nines. A move away from orthodox strikers may also give Gabriel another opportunity to force his way into the United team, given his prolific form as an academy player.
Carrick watched Gabriel make his United U21s debut last month. The 15-year-old got on the scoresheet and assisted two in a 5-0 win over Ipswich Town, earning praise from the first team boss.
Essential 26/27 Sky Sports Bundle for the new season
Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle includes at least 215 live Premier League clashes across the 2026/27 season, with more than 1,500 games from the EFL and beyond, plus F1, golf and darts.
This introductory offer saves £384 compared to the standard price, with every package also providing 100 regular channels alongside free Netflix and discovery+ subscriptions.
“I thought the boys played ever so well, actually,” Carrick said after the game. “Really good team, really strong team that we had, and you could see that the quality. I really enjoyed the game. Really pleased with the boys, the way they went about it. The quality, the attitude, everything about the game was really good. So, really encouraged by that.
“JJ is one of the boys. He’s obviously got a really big talent. He’s trained with us quite a bit. He’s getting experience all the time. He’s physically adapting to each step that he makes, and just continuing his development.”
While intrigue continues to surround Gabriel, United star Bryan Mbeumo has said the teenager could be suited to a different position. The forward previously suggested that the attacking midfielder would potentially flourish as a winger for the Reds.
“He’s actually kind of a winger, he’s a dribbler and even in front of the box, I still think he’s good, honestly,” Mbeumo told Zack En Roue Libre in March. “He’s strong, the little guy is strong. Yeah, he’s strong, he’s really something, frankly… I think he’s 15.
“You feel that he’s bound to be a little kid but he trains quite a bit with us and actually you see, you can feel that the little guy has something special.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login