14-year-old Man United sensation JJ Gabriel scores twice in history-making Under-18 debut – as youngsters thrash Leeds 13-1
- JJ Gabriel is widely seen as one of the most talented youngsters in the country
- He made history when he came on for his Under-18s debut on Saturday
- The talented teen capped off a dominant display with a brace in a 13-1 victory
Manchester United history was made on Saturday when 14-year-old talent JJ Gabriel became the youngest ever player to feature for the club’s Under-18s – and he capped it off with two goals.
Gabriel is considered one of the most talented youngsters in the country and he has been accelerated in his development.
Under-18s boss Adam Lawrence finally gave him his debut, which has been weeks in the making, on Saturday with a rampant United leading Leeds United 10-1 midway through the second half.
This rampant display finished 13-1 to United with Victor Musa scoring a double-hat-trick, Jim Thwaites scoring a hat-trick and Gabriel bagging a brace.
Mail Sport produced an extensive background read on Gabriel last month, detailing his rise through the ranks and how Nike see him as the future of their Mercurial brand.
JJ Gabriel, who classes Cristiano Ronaldo as a family friend, made history on Saturday
The 14-year-old became the youngest player in Man United history to play for their Under-18s
There is interest from a host of top clubs and United know they are in a battle to keep him with two key windows, one at 14 and one at 16, important in academy football.
Gabriel’s promotion to the Under-18s underlines how much United are keen to keep him as they look to show him his route to the first team.
It capped off a brilliant day for the club’s academy with a 13-1 win over rivals Leeds United sending a message to title rivals Manchester City.
Musa, who started as the main striker, finished the day with six goals, while Thwaites scored a hat-trick of his own in a breathtaking performance.
It was 9-0 at half-time thanks to those two, with James Bailey and Dan Armer getting on the scoresheet either side of a Leeds consolation goal.
This was a truly emphatic response by Lawrence’s side following the Under-18s disappointing FA Youth Cup semi-final defeat on penalties away to Aston Villa.
Thwaites, who missed a penalty that night, as well as Amir Ibragimov, who had a hat-trick of assists during this rampant first half at Carrington, firmly put their misses behind them to star.
But amid all the headlines it was Gabriel’s historic debut, capped off with a brace, that will be remembered by those at Carrington as he continues his ascent up the age groups.
