Manchester United call up 15-year-old wonderkid to senior squad

Manchester United have included 15-year-old forward JJ Gabriel in the 25-man travelling party for Friday's pre-season friendly against Rosenborg in Trondheim, marking the teenager's first call-up to the senior squad.

Gabriel is the sole addition to the group that suffered a 1-0 defeat to Wrexham in Finland last week, with striker Ethan Wheatley making way.

The London-born youngster, who will not celebrate his 16th birthday until October, could make his first senior appearance for the club in Norway.

Injuries to Benjamin Sesko, Karl Darlow and Matthijs de Ligt have thinned Michael Carrick's options, while £8million summer arrival Tynan Thompson, signed from Tottenham, has also been left out of the squad.

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Gabriel's meteoric rise through United's academy first captured wider attention in April 2025, when he made a 25-minute substitute appearance against Leeds in the Premier Under-18 League aged just 14.

Despite Victor Musa netting six in a remarkable 13-1 victory, it was Gabriel's cameo that generated the most discussion, with his pace, balance and technical ability immediately apparent, plus bagging a couple of goals.

Last season proved even more impressive.

The forward struck 29 times in 32 outings for the Red Devils, narrowly missing out on the league's golden boot after Manchester City's Teddie Lamb overtook him in the closing fixtures.

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Gabriel also helped United reach both the FA Youth Cup and Premier League Under-18 cup finals, earning the Premier League and United's own Under-18 player of the season awards - all while still aged 14 at the campaign's outset.

The club's commitment to Gabriel's development has been evident at the highest levels.

Director of football Jason Wilcox took a personal role in convincing the teenager to remain at Old Trafford last summer, part of a broader strategy to attract and retain elite young talent.

Former manager Ruben Amorim first brought Gabriel into senior training sessions, and Carrick has continued to monitor the academy sides closely since taking charge.

The teenager played and scored in last season's FA Youth Cup at a younger age than some of the most celebrated figures in United's history, including Busby Babes Duncan Edwards and Eddie Colman, as well as Ryan Giggs.

A senior appearance would place him among the youngest players ever to represent the club in any capacity.

For competitive fixtures, the record belongs to goalkeeper David Gaskell, who was 16 years and 19 days old on his debut.

Gabriel does not turn 16 until October 6, meaning he remains more than two months away from that threshold.

Despite his slight build, Gabriel's impact last season was remarkable.

United's coaching staff adapted tactically, shifting him inward from his natural position on the left flank to shield him from physically dominant full-backs who might overpower him.

Should he impress against Rosenborg, Gabriel could make his name in the United first team for next season.

He will not be able to take the record for the youngest player to play in the Premier League, as he is already older than Arsenal's Max Dowman when he achieved that feat.

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