Man United wonderkid dubbed 'kid Messi', 14, scores stunning solo goal for the club's under-18s - weeks after being handed a senior squad number
JJ Gabriel featured for United's u18s as they faced Watford on Friday, despite still being two months away from his 15th birthday.
The 14-year-old has been dubbed 'Kid Messi ' by United supporters for his incredible technical skills on the ball and his latest strike shows all the hallmarks of the genius Argentine.
In a clip that has since been widely circulated online, Gabriel receives the ball in the middle of a crowded penalty area.
The wonderkid then proceeds to effortlessly skip past three defenders before slotting the ball past the goalkeeper with an assured finish from close range.
Gabriel's goal quickly made waves on social media, with fans anointing the teenager as the next great talent to have been produced by the club's famous Carrington academy.
JJ Gabriel's INSANE goal with #mufc 's U18s today 🤯 pic.twitter.com/uZZX2xmIva
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) August 1, 2025
One wrote: 'Boy is he a special player. Long may he stay at UTD and continue to develop well. 14 year old playing so comfortably with the U18s'
Another agreed: 'Body swerve into a roulette into a flip-flap before finishing. All in the space of ~2 secs while surrounded by 4 players in the box.
'Goodness me, his processing speed is off the charts at just 14. I now get why people are saying he's our answer to Lamine lol.'
'Protect this kid at all costs,' a third added.
Fellow United academy prospect Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher also netted a brace in the 6-1 win.
Gabriel's latest goal comes just weeks after he was issued a senior squad number by United and reportedly made history in the process.
In a recent image Gabriel was pictured smiling with his thumbs up in United shorts and T-shirt in the picture with his squad number of 95 emblazoned on his gear.
And, according to Transfermarkt, that is the highest squad number in history handed out to a United player.
The previous record was held by Godwill Kunoki, a 17-year-old centre back, who wore the No 87 in 2024-25 and remains on the club's books.
Mail Sport exclusively reported last month how Gabriel - who has already represented England at youth level - is set to sign a new deal with the club despite interest from several major European teams, including United's rivals.
Red Devils' director of football Jason Wilcox and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves are said to have made a crucial intervention in the last week to persuade the teenager to remain in the north west.
The wonderkid, whose full name is Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel, honed his technique with the close confines and smaller ball of a futsal court.
There is considerable hype surrounding Gabriel, and Alfie Brooks, owner of Ole Futsal and Gabriel's specialist one-to-one coach, claimed he is already capable of stepping into a Premier League dressing room.
'When he first started training, [his competitiveness] was the standout attribute,' Brooks previously told Mail Sport's Nathan Salt.
'I've coached nearly 1,000 academy players over my time - four of them in Josh Nichols (Arsenal), Josh Acheampong (Chelsea), Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) and Tyrique George (Chelsea) have made their senior debuts - and JJ is the best I've ever seen.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
23 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Newcastle launch improved bid for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko
Newcastle have raised their bid for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. Manchester United had still to submit a formal offer for the Slovenia international as of Monday afternoon. Newcastle's first bid was worth an initial €75m (£65.5m) with a further €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons but the Tyneside club are now guaranteeing the Bundesliga club at least €80m. United opted to prioritise a move for Sesko over Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins but the 22-year-old's price tag is creeping up now Newcastle have increased their initial offer. Newcastle co-owner Jamie Reuben is said to have held positive talks with Leipzig on Monday. Sesko is thought to be waiting to see what United do before making a final decision on his future. However, Leipzig are reported to be unwilling to sell Sesko below their stated expectations on a fee. On Sunday, Omar Berrada, the United chief executive, said the club's director of football Jason Wilcox and his recruitment team were working 'around the clock' to make further additions to the squad. United wanted to sign Liam Delap at the start of the season but the striker turned them down in order to join Chelsea from Ipswich for £30m. 'We have a team back home led by Jason – the recruitment team – that is working around the clock to ensure that we continue to find opportunities to strengthen our squad. There are lots of late calls and early morning meetings to make sure that we stay on top of it.' Newcastle's move for Sesko comes amid continuing uncertainty over the future of Alexander Isak. The Sweden striker has signalled his desire to leave St James' Park. Liverpool had a £110m bid for Isak rejected last Friday.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Why Man Utd should SCRAP Benjamin Sesko transfer for different position Ruben Amorim desperately needs
MANCHESTER UNITED chiefs are 'working around the clock' to give Ruben Amorim the tools he needs to fix the club. But as Amorim and Co landed back home on Monday after their promising US tour ended with a reality check in the Big Peach, one pressing thought dominated. Advertisement 7 Manchester United are hot on the heels of RB Leipzig hitman Benjamin Sesko Credit: GETTY 7 The Red Devils are going toe-to-toe with Prem rivals Newcastle for the 22-year-old Credit: GETTY 7 Ruben Amorim needs to strengthen other areas of his squad before signing a new striker Credit: Getty Should United chief executive Omar Berrada be prioritising a new No.9 and looking to spend £70million-plus on Benjamin Sesko? Newcastle hit Leipzig's asking price for the Slovenian frontman on Monday night and are keep to wrap up a deal as soon as possible. United now must decide whether to make their move. But the question remains, is it a proper holding midfielder that they REALLY need? Advertisement READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS SES PLEASE Benjamin Sesko 'tells both Man Utd and Newcastle he only wants them' Manuel Ugarte looked no better equipped than he did when flailing through last season, as Everton clearly targeted him in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The £42.3m Uruguayan midfielder, 24, got criminally caught in possession for Iliman Ndiaye's goal in Sunday night's 2-2 friendly draw, was treading through treacle at times and looked all at sea for most of his 72 minutes on the pitch. And when replaced by Casemiro, who remains slower than a pedalo in choppy waters — while Kobbie Mainoo has gone backwards — it exposed glaring vulnerabilities in the centre of midfield. The attacking trident boss Amorim used for the first 45 minutes, with debutant Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes floating in and around each other, was vibrant and exciting. Advertisement SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN 7 7 Central midfield remains a problem area for Manchester United, despite the relatively recent arrival of Manuel Ugarte Credit: Getty Amad Diallo, despite playing a part in Ayden Heaven's own goal that gifted the Toffees a second leveller, offered thrust and dynamism at wing-back. Yet he gave centre-back Leny Yoro scant protection. Advertisement While, Mason Mount came off the bench to curl home a delightful effort and show he can contribute. Sesko wants Man Utd move as Villa block Watkins exit | Transfers Exposed There are clearly goals in this United squad, even with seemingly-unwanted Rasmus Hojlund on the bench and Joshua Zirkzee still not fit. Mbeumo, building up fitness after a £65m move from Brentford, has pace, penetration and perception. Cunha looks a scorer of great goals, if perhaps not a great goalscorer, while skipper Bruno is at his best when looking to hurt opponents with the ball. Advertisement Replacing Hojlund with another similar style player, rather than a proven Prem striker like Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta, seems a waste of resources given their midfield shortcomings. For starters, Mateta is available at half the price of RB Leipzig man Sesko. Finding a Rodri equivalent is, of course, tough. Just ask Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. Ugarte got criminally caught in possession for Iliman Ndiaye's goal in Sunday night's 2-2 friendly draw, was treading through treacle at times and looked all at sea for most of his 72 minutes on the pitch. But what Amorim would give for a Michael Carrick or Owen Hargreaves. Advertisement Even so, Amorim was right to highlight positives from their training camp in Chicago and games against West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton. Yet Fernandes was critical of the 'lazy' performance against the Toffees, adding: 'We need to change that. 'The situation is improving, but the culture here was winning — and we need to bring that back. 'A lot of people have suffered from this, a lot of people who had been working at the club for many years had to go. Advertisement 'Fans are paying more for tickets, so it's up to us to pay it back on the pitch.' Amorim, asked to respond, was emphatic. He said: 'I'm happy for the players to have that feeling. 7 CEO Omar Berrada should prioritise resolving the biggest issue in United's squad ahead of signing a new strike Credit: GETTY "They understand the situation. Advertisement 'We need to be really consistent. But we are better. It's the perfect feeling to go back to Carrington. 'The momentum of the tour was perfect. We had the weeks to work with a good environment, good feeling. "Then we go back to Carrington and are near to starting the season, going with the feeling that we need to do a lot of things.' Including in further recruitment — as captain Fernandes stated in his own message to the board. Advertisement The Portuguese midfielder said: 'I don't want to have a dig at anyone. 7 Skipper Bruno Fernandes has issued a transfer plea to the Manchester United brass Credit: GETTY "The club are doing the best they can in terms of all the financial situations they talk about. 'But it was crystal clear that we needed more competition — more quality to get everyone to step up a bit more. Advertisement 'That's what the club and manager are trying to do and, hopefully, we can get one or two players more to help with that.' In what will be music to Fernandes' ears, United chief Berrada revealed: 'The recruitment team is working round the clock to strengthen our squad.' Start with the biggest issue, Omar, not the most eye-catching one. Teams with a polo mint hole in the middle can never win anything.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Hearts 2-0 Aberdeen
Hearts started their Scottish Premiership campaign with a comfortable win over a wasteful Aberdeen side at fans, what did you make of your side's win?Give us your thoughts the full match report here.
