JJ Gabriel: Could He Become Manchester United’s Youngest Player?

Gabriel appears to have reached the transitional stage Giggs referred to earlier.

Apart from the opening match in Helsinki, the youngster was involved in every United pre-season tour this summer.

However, his only appearance came as a late replacement against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm. His first contribution ended with a heavy challenge from behind by Uruguay captain Jose Maria Gimenez, who, at 31, is twice his age.

United have shared numerous clips of Gabriel practising with the senior squad and enjoying light-hearted moments with fellow attacker Benjamin Sesko. As Carrick noted, the teenager is now considered “one of the boys”.

There had been suggestions that Gabriel could make his senior debut in the third round of the EFL Cup. That would make him Manchester United’s youngest-ever first-team player, surpassing goalkeeper David Gaskell, who debuted at 16 years and 19 days. Gabriel will not turn 16 until 6 October.

But with United enduring a difficult start in terms of results and scheduled to face Premier League opponents Brighton at Old Trafford on 16 September, such a decision may not be realistic.

Champions League fixtures allow teams toгон name 11 substitutes instead of the nine permitted in domestic matches. Could that create an opportunity for him against Sabah FK on Thursday? His absence from Wednesday’s first-team training session suggests that may be unlikely.

The Under-19 Uefa Youth League could provide a more suitable platform. United’s academy has made the tournament a priority after withdrawing from the EFL Trophy and National League Cup this season, while members of last season’s FA Youth Cup final squad remain eligible to participate.

Gabriel may have expected to feature in Saturday evening’s Premier League 2 Manchester derby at City, but the fixture has been postponed because of United’s various European commitments on Thursdays.

When Giggs was emerging 35 years ago, he was comfortable with Ferguson preventing the media from interviewing him.

That era came before social media and online discussion platforms. Today, expectations, debate and pressure are far greater and much harder to contain.

The people closest to Gabriel clearly have their own vision for how his career should develop.

United’s final Premier League 2 fixture before the international break will be against Brentford at Leigh on 18 September. England’s different youth teams will then begin their respective matches.

Gabriel’s talent is opening doors for his development. The main uncertainty is where that journey will ultimately take him.