Young Talent Joins Senior Squad
Manchester United are set to face Rosenborg in a pre-season friendly, with 15-year-old forward JJ Gabriel included in the senior squad for the first time. Gabriel, who was the Under-18 Premier League player of the season last term, is part of Michael Carrick’s 25-man travelling party for the match in Trondheim.
Gabriel, who will not turn 16 until October, joins a squad that recently experienced a 1-0 defeat against Wrexham. Striker Ethan Wheatley has dropped out of the squad. Notably absent from the lineup is 18-year-old Tynan Thompson, who recently joined from Tottenham.
Injuries have ruled out several players for the friendly, including striker Benjamin Sesko, goalkeeper Karl Darlow, and defender Matthijs de Ligt. Gabriel’s inclusion follows his progress through the club’s youth system, and should he feature in Norway, it would mark a significant milestone in his developing career.
Squad and Expected Lineup
The Manchester United squad for the friendly includes a mix of established players and emerging talents. The travelling party comprises:
- Tom Heaton
- Radek Vitek
- Harry Maguire
- Leny Yoro
- Luke Shaw
- Ayden Heaven
- Mason Mount
- Joshua Zirkzee
- Patrick Dorgu
- Andrey Santos
- Bryan Mbeumo
- Chido Obi
- Jack Fletcher
- Tyler Fletcher
- Harry Amass
- Toby Collyer
- Dan Gore
- Dermot Mee
- Shea Lacey
- Ethan Williams
- Jaydan Kamason
- Jacob Devaney
- Jim Thwaites
- Dan Armer
- JJ Gabriel
The expected starting lineup against Rosenborg features Vitek in goal, with a defensive line of Yoro, Heaven, Maguire, and Shaw. The midfield is anticipated to include Santos and Mount, while Dorgu, Lacey, and Mbeumo are expected on the flanks. Zirkzee is set to lead the attack.
While results are not the primary focus of pre-season matches, Manchester United will be looking to perform well after their previous outing. Carrick is expected to rotate his squad, similar to his approach in the match against Wrexham, to give various players an opportunity to gain match fitness.
Gabriel’s Rise Through the Ranks
JJ Gabriel has garnered attention within England’s academy system. Jason Wilcox, the director of football, was reportedly involved in ensuring Gabriel remained at United last summer. This aligns with a broader strategy to attract promising young talents to the Old Trafford club, a strategy also reflected in Thompson’s arrival from Tottenham.
Gabriel first gained wider notice in April 2025 during an Under-18 Premier League match where United defeated Leeds 13-1. Despite striker Victor Musa’s six goals, Gabriel’s 25-minute debut cameo, at just 14 and a half years old, was a significant talking point. During that appearance, he demonstrated pace, balance, control, and scored two goals.
Last season, Gabriel continued to impress, scoring 29 times in 32 appearances for the Red Devils. His contributions helped the team reach the finals of both the FA Youth Cup and the Premier League Under-18 Cup. He was called up for first-team training by Ruben Amorim and has since been a regular participant in sessions, with Carrick closely monitoring the academy teams.
The club is managing Gabriel’s development carefully. He was not involved in the recent defeat by Wrexham as he had only returned to training less than a week prior. His potential is highlighted by the fact that he was invited to the directors’ box on multiple occasions last season and met with Sir Alex Ferguson after a draw against West Ham at Old Trafford in December.
Gabriel’s call-up for the trip to Norway is seen as a logical step, given the club’s focus on nurturing young talent. If he plays, he would be among the youngest players to make a senior appearance for United. The youngest player to feature in a competitive match for United was David Gaskell, who debuted at 16 years and 19 days. Gabriel will not reach 16 until October 6.
The match is scheduled for Friday, July 24, at Lerkendal Stadion in Trondheim.
Source: bbc.com
