Manchester United includes JJ Gabriel in squad for Rosenborg friendly
Gabriel’s Senior Squad Inclusion
JJ Gabriel, a forward, has been named in Manchester United’s senior squad for the first time for Friday’s friendly against Rosenborg. He was the Under-18 Premier League player of the season last term. Gabriel is part of Michael Carrick’s 25-man travelling party for the pre-season friendly in Trondheim.
Gabriel, who will not turn 16 until October, joins the squad that was beaten 1-0 by Wrexham in Finland last week. Striker Ethan Wheatley is not included in the squad. There is also no place for Tynan Thompson, who joined from Tottenham in an £8m deal.
Benjamin Sesko, Karl Darlow, and Matthijs de Ligt are all ruled out due to injury. Gabriel was expected to participate in United’s pre-season this summer due to his progress through the club’s youth system. Should the winger feature in Norway, it would mark a significant milestone in his career.
Squad Details and Key Players
The Manchester United travelling squad includes: 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, and JJ Gabriel.
The pre-season continues in Norway for the 13-time Premier League champions against Rosenborg. Carrick’s Red Devils were defeated by Wrexham in their previous match, fielding an inexperienced team of youth players for the second half. Several players were still away at the World Cup.
Some key players like Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, and Senne Lammens are still on vacation. However, fans can anticipate seeing Bryan Mbeumo, Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, and new signing Andrey Santos in action.
Gabriel’s Youth Career and Potential Debut
JJ Gabriel is considered one of the most promising young players in England’s academy system. Director of football Jason Wilcox was involved in persuading Gabriel to stay at United last summer. This aligns with the club’s strategy to attract young talent to Old Trafford, a strategy also reflected in Thompson’s arrival from Tottenham.
Gabriel gained wider attention in April 2025 during an Under-18 Premier League match where United defeated Leeds 13-1. Although Victor Musa scored six goals in that game, Gabriel’s 25-minute appearance on his debut, then at 14 and a half, was a significant talking point. He displayed pace, balance, and control, and scored twice.
He continued his strong performance last season, scoring 29 times in 32 appearances for the Red Devils. His contributions helped the team reach the FA Youth Cup and Premier League Under-18 cup finals. He was initially called up for first-team training by Ruben Amorim and has been a regular participant in sessions since, with Carrick closely monitoring United’s academy teams.
Gabriel was not involved in the defeat against Wrexham in Helsinki as he had only recently returned to training. United is reportedly managing the young talent carefully. He was invited to the directors’ box multiple times last season and met Sir Alex Ferguson after a draw against West Ham at Old Trafford in December.
This level of access is uncommon, highlighting the potential United sees in him. Gabriel is about to begin his GCSE year. He played and scored in last season’s FA Youth Cup at a younger age than notable Manchester United figures such as Duncan Edwards, Eddie Colman, and Ryan Giggs.
While many talented young players exist, Gabriel’s physical development offers additional promise. Despite his slight build, he has made a significant impact. United’s coaching staff moved him from his preferred left-wing position to an inside role last season to protect him from larger, stronger full-backs. There was an expectation that Gabriel would grow physically over the summer, and his social media activity suggests he has been working on this.
Given United’s focus on youth development for future success, including Gabriel in the squad for this trip is consistent with their approach. If Gabriel plays in Norway, he will be among the youngest players to feature in a senior game for the club. The youngest player to play a competitive match for United was David Gaskell, a goalkeeper who debuted at 16 years and 19 days. Gabriel will not be 16 until October 6.
Not all players in Carrick’s squad are guaranteed playing time. For example, in the defeat to Wrexham in Helsinki, United took 25 players, and even though Carrick used different teams for each half, Dermot Mee, Jim Thwaites, and Chido Obi were not utilized. If Gabriel gets an opportunity, it will provide valuable insight for United’s coaches on how he performs against senior opponents, which will help determine his future game schedule as United’s World Cup players begin to return.
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Source: bbc.com
