JJ Gabriel was an unused substitute for Manchester United during Friday’s pre-season friendly against Rosenborg, but has now responded to this snub in the perfect way.
There was lots of excitement when JJ Gabriel made the travelling squad to face Rosenborg, with the 15-year-old deserving this opportunity after a sensational 2025/26 campaign.
Gabriel is being fast-tracked, and many expected he would play against the Norwegian side on Friday evening.
But Gabriel was left on the bench, much to the disappointment of fans, and it prompted the teenager to post on social media with the message, “patience”.
Less than 24 hours later, though, he has sent another message to Carrick, this time on the pitch.
JJ Gabriel sent this message after missing out on minutes vs Rosenborg – Do you think he will get a chance in upcoming games?
Was it the right call from Carrick or should he have got five minutes at the end?
JJ Gabriel on fire for Manchester United U21s
Gabriel will have been frustrated yet proud to have made his first senior matchday squad with number 77 on his shirt that he didn’t get to wear.
But by missing out, it will have only added to his hunger.
Saturday saw Gabriel handed the chance to prove he is deserving of a chance in the next game as he played 45 minutes in a friendly for the U21s.
This is Gabriel’s first U21 appearance, and in just 45 minutes of action, he scored and assisted, showing that his output and quality won’t be limited to U18 football.
Carrick will no doubt have been watching how Gabriel fared here, and by scoring and assisting, the 15-year-old has probably reinforced that he can’t be forgotten and pushed back to the academy.
If this is his output at U21 level, United won’t have a choice but to give him lots of game time for the first-team.
Which Manchester United academy star impressed you the most vs Rosenborg?
Shea Lacey, Jacob Devaney, Harry Amass and Ethan Williams all scored, but there were so many impressive performances!
Jim Thwaites also plays for U21s
Gabriel was joined in being an unused substitute by Jim Thwaites on Friday evening, and the talented 18-year-old has featured for the U21s this weekend alongside him.
Thwaites was more hard done by than Gabriel, to not play, having also been left out of the game against Wrexham.
As a midfielder, Thwaites is completely unique and a huge talent that could offer an awful lot to Carrick’s team right now in terms of his passing, press resistance, and work rate.
Carrick has taken a shine to Thwaites, demonstrated with his inclusion in first-team squads at the back end of last season, which suggests that his snubs this summer don’t mean he isn’t rated.
Thwaites will still hope to get opportunities in the coming season, as he won’t be on loan while many of his contenders could be.
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