JJ Gabriel has had a brilliant season for Manchester United U18, and this week saw him add two more goals to his tally for the season.
Manchester United U18 beat Liverpool 4-1 on Wednesday, with Jay McEvoy and JJ Gabriel each scoring twice.
This saw Gabriel make it five goals against Liverpool over the two games this season, after a hat-trick earlier this season in the 7-0 win.
In recent weeks, Rio Ferdinand has hailed Gabriel as the future, and he has more than one avenue to reach the first team.
Bryan Mbeumo has been blown away by JJ Gabriel…
But how excited are you by the youngster's breakthrough at Manchester United? What are your expectations?
Arthur Albiston hails JJ Gabriel for a clever finish against Liverpool U18
Gabriel scored from the penalty spot against Liverpool, but his second was a thing of beauty. After being slipped through by Amir Ibragimov, Gabriel found himself at a very tight angle.
The goalkeeper applied pressure, to which Gabriel managed to sneak a shot into the far corner. It was a genius finish from Gabriel, one which caught Arthur Albiston’s eye on commentary for MUTV.
“Clever strike, we’ve seen him hit it with so much power this season, but he picks out the corner and the keeper can’t do anything.”
Gabriel often strikes the ball with such venom that goalkeepers can only watch it sail by them, but this goal was of a different calibre, beating the Liverpool shot stopper with smarts.
Few goalkeepers would have saved this effort, and it demonstrated that he could break through into the first team in a different position.
Where do you think JJ Gabriel will be by the time he is 18?🔮
He's been playing against 18-year-olds all season, but how good will he be in three years?
Could JJ Gabriel become a striker for Manchester United?
It is assumed that Gabriel will debut for United next season, likely as a left-winger.
This would be deserved, but this position will see the 15-year-old face competition from the taller and arguably more ready Noah Ajayi, who is also knocking on the door of the first team.
However, smart finishes like the one against Liverpool prove that Gabriel is more than just able to score ridiculous goals but can also finish excellently in the box.
Goals like this are a good striker’s bread and butter, and it proves that he could actually have the tools to be a number nine.
It won’t be his main position, but it just adds another potential area to Gabriel’s list of possible breakthrough positions.
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