Man Utd wonderkid Gabriel, 15, set to make first-team debut THIS week as ban lifted

Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel is set to make his long-awaited first-team debut in the Red Devils’ clash with Rosenborg. Michael Carrick’s side take on the Norwegian side in their second pre-season friendly of the summer on Friday.

A similar squad is expected to be named to the one that lost 1-0 to Wrexham, albeit with a few differences. Gabriel, 15, took part in United’s latest training session on Monday at Carrington and is under consideration to be included in the squad to fly to Norway.

Taking to Instagram after the defeat to Wrexham, the teenager wrote: “The longer you wait for something the more you appreciate it when you get it because anything worth having is worth waiting for.”

Gabriel has been part of United’s youth system since 2022 and has been working his way up through the ranks. In 2025, he became the youngest-ever player to represent the club’s under-18 side, while he has regularly been handed opportunities to train with the first team.

He also enjoyed a brilliant season last term, having scored 26 goals in 29 appearances for United’s youth team last season as they reached the FA Youth Cup final. Gabriel has yet to make his first-team debut due to a rule about player ages, albeit he can sign a professional deal when he turns 17 in October next year.

Speaking about Gabriel last season, Carrick said: "He's not allowed [to make his debut], he's too young. He's doing really well, JJ.

“We've got some really good young players in the academy and we try and get the younger players up [with the first-team] as much as we can. We're always trying to give that exposure to the players to come and train and feel it."

The United boss added: "JJ is a big talent, it's pretty obvious to know that and he's had a really good season for the U18s.

"We obviously think an awful lot of him, but patience is important in managing everything that comes with that and working with him in development as we do with all the different younger players and picking the right moment to step up.

"What he's done when he's trained, he's done well as you'd expect and it's good to have the younger players come up with us."

Away from Gabriel, United have added to their youth ranks over recent days by completing a deal to sign Tynan Thompson from Spurs for £4m plus £4m in add-ons.