Such is the sterling work behind done behind the scenes at Carrington, it feels like a new Manchester United wonderkid emerges about once a month these days.
And after a remarkable campaign for the Red Devils’ Under 18s side catapulted the likes of Ethan Wheatley, Jack Fletcher and Harry Amass into the Manchester United mainstream, some sumptuous displays from Shea Lacey, Gabriele Biancheri and Amir Ibragimov are doing the rounds on social media of late too.
The present may be a little miserable for Man United, but the future may be positively sparkling by comparison.
And, if there are not enough rising stars to keep an eye on, here’s another. Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel. Or, as he is more commonly known, ‘JJ Gabriel’.
A teenager so talented that, according to the Daily Mail, he has been promoted to train alongside Man United’s Under 18 squad just days after his 14th birthday.
Already a regular at Under 16 level at the age of just 13, it is usually a pretty exciting sign when a player is promoted so far above his age group. Clearly, the Man United coaches feel that there is something pretty special about young Gabriel.
Manchester United promote JJ Gabriel to Under-18 training
The ‘Kid Messi’ nickname bestowed upon him in social media circles, meanwhile, was only exacerbated over the summer.
Gabriel was handed the Most Valuable Player award by United icon Dimitar Berbatov at an Under 16 tournament over in Hong Kong.
Smaller than almost everyone else on the pitch but smoother and silkier too, Gabriel would float all across the frontline, weaving in and out of challenges, and threading passes in behind.
One of the three goals he scored in those two games – cutting in onto his left and drilling a shot low into the corner – will do little to dispel that ‘Kid Messi’ moniker.
Messi is not the only former Barcelona superstar Gabriel has been likened too.
His twinkling footwork and devastating abilities in a one-v-one situation had one source, speaking via the Academy Scoop X account, describing the ‘phenomenal’ Gabriel as a ‘mini Neymar’.
Manchester United investing in youth
Since completing their minority takeover of Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have made it their mission to make Old Trafford home to the best young talent in world football once again.
An ambition emphasised by the signings of Samuel Lusale, Hubert Graczyk and Chido-Obi Martin, academy chief Nick Cox is delighted by the continued and creditable progress United continue to make in the under-age groups.
Former Arsenal wonderkid Obi-Martin officially joined Manchester United over the weekend.
“Before the new season even started, we had the pleasure of watching Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho achieve new career landmarks as they represented their countries at international tournaments,” Cox tells the Man United website, the rapid rise of Mainoo and Garnacho an example for every Carrington kid to follow.
“We welcome Samuel Lusale, Chido Obi-Martin and James Overy to the club.
“Whatever the scenario, our staff will be on hand to care for these young boys and make sure their experience at the Academy is an overwhelmingly positive one that sets them up for life.
“Good to luck to Samuel, Chido and James, well done to our recruitment team and congratulations to the families and wider support networks involved in these boys’ journeys. Signing for Manchester United should be a proud day for everyone involved.
Good luck to all our staff and players for the season ahead – I’m sure it’ll be another special one at this great club.”
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