JJ Gabriel has been in sensational form for Manchester United’s academy this season and has seen his reward as part of the senior team confirmed
17:32, 02 Apr 2026Updated 17:33, 02 Apr 2026
JJ Gabriel has a big summer at Manchester United on the horizon(Image: (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images))
JJ Gabriel’s summer plans have taken shape following the announcement of Manchester United’s pre-season fixtures. The 15-year-old has been in stunning form for the academy this season, with the club planning to bring him along with the senior squad for their European tour ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
United get their pre-season underway against Wrexham in Helsinki, Finland, on July 18, before travelling to Trondheim, Norway, on July 24 for a clash with Rosenborg. Atletico Madrid are next up, with that fixture scheduled to take place in Stockholm, Sweden, on August 1.
A friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg, Sweden, follows on August 8, with fellow Premier League side Leeds United set to face them at Croke Park in Dublin on August 12. The European tour wraps up in Wroclaw, Poland, on August 15, where AC Milan are due to provide the opposition.
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Gabriel will be eager to make his mark in the first-team environment, having found the net in each of his last six under-18 Premier League outings. United’s youngsters currently occupy second place in the table, separated from local rivals City only on goal difference.
During that spell, United also reached the under-18 Premier League Cup final with Gabriel finding the net in their fightback victory over West Ham United. With United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe looking on, fellow academy prospect Kai Rooney also netted, but he will be sidelined for the rest of the season through injury.
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As a result, he will be unavailable for the final later this month against Crystal Palace, with the responsibility on Gabriel to deliver.
The latter’s performances have also seemingly caught Michael Carrick’s eye, with the interim head coach lauding the teenager despite being unable to select him.
Carrick, who has watched several academy matches since taking the reins, said in March: “He is not allowed [to be part of a first-team squad on a matchday]. He’s too young. JJ’s doing really well.
JJ Gabriel, Kai Rooney and Chido Obi have all been impressing in Manchester United’s academy
“We’ve got some really good players in the academy and we try and get the younger players up [with the main group] as much as we can.
“We’re always trying to give them that exposure. JJ is a big talent, it is pretty obvious and he has had a good season for U18s. We think an awful lot of him.
“But patience is important in managing everything that comes with that and developing him and picking the right moment to step up, to leave them in a certain place. He’s trained well and it is good to have young players up.”
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