Latest news with #JJGabriel
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Manchester United u18s blow away QPR in behind closed doors friendly
Manchester United u18s opened their pre-season this weekend hosting Queens Park Rangers u18s at Carrington. Following their training camp in Germany, United's youngsters had their first pre-season friendly against the London club which was played behind closed doors. Advertisement The match was an opportunity for everyone in the u18s age group to get a run out, including some even younger players, with a totally changed line-up at half time. Despite being just 14 years old, JJ Gabriel was among the names in the starting XI and he earned his place with a brilliant goal. Initially tracking back with an exceptional slide tackle, Gabriel won the ball before bursting up-field to cut his marker inside and out and curl the ball inside the far corner. After much speculation, Gabriel has signed youth registration forms with United to remain at the club for a further two years. United ultimately went into the break leading 4-1 with further goals from Amir Ibragimov, Louie Bradbury, and Jay McEvoy. Advertisement Irish youth international McEvoy, who is among this year's first year scholars, also finished with a sensational dipping shot. The second half saw the 4-1 score line repeated to end the match with a resounding 8-2 victory to United. Gabriel wasn't the only u15 to put his name on the scoresheet. Nkoto brothers Bassirou and Douka both hit the back of the net in the second half, with the former providing two assists to go with his goal. The talented number 10 Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher finished the scoring on the day with a well taken brace. With an influx of new players into the age group and a new coach incoming after Adam Lawrence's departure, there have been a lot of changes in United's u18s setup but one thing remains constant in the extreme level of talent on display. Advertisement Further behind closed door friendlies are expected before the group travel to Croatia at the start of August for the Mladen Ramljak Memorial Tournament. United XI first half: Byrne-Hughes, Shah, McCormack, Kukonki, O'Brien, McEvoy, Ibragimov, Bailey, Brown, Gabriel, Bradbury United XI second half: Heath, Hefalu, Mills, Armer, Watson, Carrick, B. Nkoto, Thwaites, Lusale, Ibrovic-Fletcher, D. Nkoto Featured image Ben Roberts photo via Getty Images Follow us on Bluesky: @
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Man United 'break shirt number history' for 'Kid Messi' wonderkid, 14 - as Red Devils close in on new deal for teen wanted by major European clubs
Manchester United have reportedly handed wonderkid JJ Gabriel a unique squad number. Gabriel, 14, who has been dubbed as 'Kid Messi ', is viewed as one of the most exciting prospects the Red Devils have ever produced. Mail Sport reported on Monday how the 14-year-old is set to sign a new deal with the club despite interest from several major European teams, including United's rivals . Red Devils' director of football Jason Wilcox and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves are said to have made a crucial intervention in the last week to persuade the teenager to remain in the north west. Gabriel has subsequently been handed an official squad number for the new season and he posted a picture on social media wearing United's training gear on Tuesday. However, eagle-eyed fans noticed something different about the number the 14-year-old had been given. Several of United's rivals were 'desperate' to get Gabriel who has been dubbed as 'Kid Messi' Gabriel was smiling with his thumbs up in United shorts and T-shirt in the picture with his squad number of 95 emblazoned on his gear. And, according to Transfermarkt, that is the highest squad number in history handed out to a United player. The previous record was held by Godwill Kunoki, a 17-year-old centre back, who wore the No 87 in 2024-25 and remains on the club's books. Meanwhile, Gabriel, who recently signed a lucrative sponsorship deal with Nike and scored a brace on his United Under 18s debut back in April, grew up in London and previously had spells at Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham. The wonderkid, whose full name is Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel, honed his technique in futsal as much as in football. There is considerable hype surrounding Gabriel, and Alfie Brooks, owner of Ole Futsal and Gabriel's specialist one-to-one coach, claimed he is already capable of stepping into a Premier League dressing room. 'When he first started training, [his competitiveness] was the standout attribute,' Brooks previously told Mail Sport's Nathan Salt. 'I've coached nearly 1,000 academy players over my time - four of them in Josh Nichols (Arsenal), Josh Acheampong (Chelsea), Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) and Tyrique George (Chelsea) have made their senior debuts - and JJ is the best I've ever seen. 'He could go into a Premier League changing room right now and technically he would be better than all of them. It wouldn't even be close.' Ronaldo Snr also took a shine to Gabriel, giving him a signed shirt upon leaving United At the age of six, he spent a week focusing on his keepy-ups. By the end of that week he could do 1,000 in a row, and was fast becoming the best player in matches against players years older than him. At nine, Gabriel went viral with a YouTube video he appeared in under the moniker 'Kid Messi', a nickname the youngster is keen to shed, and now at 14 he is being called into the Under 18s as United press the accelerator on his development. But it is Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar who many talent-spotters believe he could one day mirror, more so than Messi. Meanwhile, when Cristiano Ronaldo Jnr was part of the United academy, he struck up a very close friendship with Gabriel. Presented together at Old Trafford with the No 7 (Ronaldo) and No 10 (Gabriel) shirts, they grew close and would often spend time together away from the pitch at Ronaldo Snr's seven-bedroom mansion. The Portugal and United icon even took a shine to young Gabriel, giving him a signed shirt as a parting gift before he left Manchester for Saudi Arabia. Dan Ashworth, who was axed as sporting director by Sir Jim Ratcliffe last season, was another admirer of Gabriel while one team-mate in the Under 18s spoke of being 'blown away' by seeing the 14-year-old in their training sessions. Gabriel's career to date has been managed to the letter by his family with superstardom in mind. His dad, former Republic of Ireland international Joe O'Cearuill, changed the family's surname to Gabriel in a nod to their religious beliefs as well as making the United starlet more brandable. The decision was also taken to home-school Gabriel to maximise his prospects in football, while he follows a very strict diet to enhance performance. He is, to all intents and purposes, already operating as a top professional, and made his England Under 15 debut in February.
Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd 'break shirt number history' for 14-year-old they are desperate to keep
Manchester United have persuaded 14-year-old wonderkid JJ Gabriel to stay at the club, with the youngster viewed as one of the most promising young prospects in the academy JJ Gabriel, the 14-year-old wonderkid, has reportedly committed his future to Manchester United and been handed an official squad number. Gabriel, who has been dubbed 'Kid Messi', is viewed as one of the most exciting young prospects at the club. He made his debut for United's under-18s back in April, bagging a brace as the Red Devils thrashed Leeds 13-1. Gabriel is the son of former Republic of Ireland international Joe O'Cearuill and recently signed a lucrative sponsorship deal with Nike. According to the Daily Mail, Gabriel was attracting interest from a number of clubs but has decided to remain at United after director of football Jason Wilcox and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves stepped in and helped persuade the youngster to stay. And a photo has now emerged of Gabriel wearing United's new training gear, with the 14-year-old having been given the squad number 95. That would be the highest squad number a United player has ever worn. According to transfermarkt, the previous record was held by Godwill Kunoki who was given the number 87 last season. Alfie Brooks, who has worked with Gabriel as his specialist one-to-one coach, believes the wonderkid's technique is already good enough for the Premier League. "When he first started training, [his competitiveness] was the standout attribute," Brooks said. "I've coached nearly 1,000 academy players over my time - four of them in Josh Nichols ( Arsenal), Josh Acheampong ( Chelsea), Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) and Tyrique George (Chelsea) have made their senior debuts - and JJ is the best I've ever seen. "He could go into a Premier League changing room right now and technically he would be better than all of them. It wouldn't even be close." Gabriel is also said to have become close friends with Cristiano Ronaldo Jr during their time together in United's academy. Ronaldo Jr has since joined the Al Nassr Academy, with his father currently playing for the Saudi Arabian club. Ronaldo Jr made his debut for Portugal's under-15s in May, with Ronaldo Sr paying tribute to his son on Instagram as he wrote: "Congratulations on your debut for Portugal, son. Very proud of you."
The Sun
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Man Utd tie down ‘Kid Messi', 14, to new deal after crucial intervention and he's already been playing for U18s
FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel has signed a new deal to keep him at Old Trafford. Gabriel, dubbed 'kid Messi' by fans, had appeared set to move amid interest from some of Europe's biggest club. 3 Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich were all said to be ready to swoop. But, according to the Mail, a crucial intervention from club officials persuaded him to commit his future to the Red Devils. It is claimed that talks with director of football Jason Wilcox and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves convinced the young star to stay. Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel played futsal as a child alongside footballing spells at Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham. Since his move to the north-west, he has been touted as one of United's most promising prospects, earning his 'kid Messi ' moniker. Ironically, it was kid Ronaldo with whom the youngster formed a bond, with Gabriel and Cristiano Ronaldo Jr reportedly growing close during their time in the Man Utd academy together. Now the young forward, born in 2010, is starting to make waves playing well above his years in the club's u18 setup. The move up a level has not slowed him down, netting three times in his three appearances in the u18 Premier League. The hype surrounding his development has led to a significant boot deal with Nike which the sun reported could be worth up to six-figures. First-team boss Ruben Amorim has handed minutes to several promising Man Utd youngsters since his arrival last year, and will keep a keen eye on Gabriel over the upcoming campaign. Rashford Exit Incoming? Barcelona Push for Surprise Loan Deal! Young prospects Harry Amass, Ayden Heaven, Toby Collyer and Chido Obi all made appearances for the senior team in the Premier League this season. More established stars such as Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have also walked the pathway from the academy to the first team at the club in recent years, suggesting the opportunities are there for Gabriel should he continue to improve. 3
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Man United 14-year-old wonderkid dubbed 'Kid Messi' who wowed Cristiano Ronaldo is set to sign new deal at Old Trafford - after 'crucial' intervention avoids poaching disaster
Manchester United 's 14-year-old wonderkid JJ Gabriel has committed his future to the Red Devils following a crucial intervention from club chiefs. Mail Sports understands that Red Devils' director of football Jason Wilcox and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves stepped in in the last week to persuade the teenager - dubbed 'Kid Messi ' - to remain in the north west. In March, it was revealed that several of United's rivals were 'desperate' to get Gabriel, who, in holding an Irish passport, was allowed to play in the European Union from the age of 16 when otherwise he would have to wait until 18. Gabriel, full name Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel, grew up in London and had spells at Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham. He honed his technique in futsal as much as in football. There is considerable hype surrounding the youngster, who Alfie Brooks, owner of Ole Futsal and Gabriel's specialist one-to-one coach, claims is already capable of stepping into a Premier League dressing room. Several of United's rivals were 'desperate' to get Gabriel, who, in holding an Irish passport, was allowed to play in the European Union from the age of 16 'When he first started training, [his competitiveness] was the standout attribute,' Brooks told Mail Sport's Nathan Salt. 'I've coached nearly 1,000 academy players over my time - four of them in Josh Nichols (Arsenal), Josh Acheampong (Chelsea), Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) and Tyrique George (Chelsea) have made their senior debuts - and JJ is the best I've ever seen. 'He could go into a Premier League changing room right now and technically he would be better than all of them. It wouldn't even be close.' At the age of six, he spent a week focusing on his keepy-ups. By the end of that week he could do 1,000 in a row, and was fast becoming the best player in matches against players years older than him. At nine, Gabriel went viral with a YouTube video he appeared in under the moniker 'Kid Messi', a nickname the youngster is keen to shed, and now at 14 he is being called into the Under 18s as United press the accelerator on his development. It is Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar who many talent-spotters believe he could one day mirror, more so than Messi. When Cristiano Ronaldo Jr was part of the United academy, he struck up a very close friendship with Gabriel. Presented together at Old Trafford with the No 7 (Ronaldo) and No 10 (Gabriel) shirts, they grew close and would often spend time together away from the pitch at Ronaldo Sr's seven-bedroom mansion. The Portugal and United icon took a shine to young Gabriel, giving him a signed shirt as a parting gift before he left Manchester for Saudi Arabia. Dan Ashworth, who was axed as sporting director by Sir Jim Ratcliffe last season, was an admirer of Gabriel while one team-mate in the Under 18s spoke of being 'blown away' by seeing the 14-year-old in their training sessions. Gabriel's career to date has been managed to the letter by his family with superstardom in mind. His dad, former Republic of Ireland international Joe O'Cearuill, changed the family's surname to Gabriel in a nod to their religious beliefs as well as making the United starlet more brandable. The decision was also taken to home-school Gabriel to maximise his prospects in football, while he follows a very strict diet to enhance performance. He is, to all intents and purposes, already operating as a top professional, and made his England Under 15 debut in February.
