Latest news with #JJGabriel
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Man Utd tie down ‘Kid Messi', 14, to new deal after crucial intervention and he's already been playing for U18s
FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel has signed a new deal to keep him at Old Trafford. Gabriel, dubbed 'kid Messi' by fans, had appeared set to move amid interest from some of Europe's biggest club. 3 Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich were all said to be ready to swoop. But, according to the Mail, a crucial intervention from club officials persuaded him to commit his future to the Red Devils. It is claimed that talks with director of football Jason Wilcox and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves convinced the young star to stay. Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel played futsal as a child alongside footballing spells at Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham. Since his move to the north-west, he has been touted as one of United's most promising prospects, earning his 'kid Messi ' moniker. Ironically, it was kid Ronaldo with whom the youngster formed a bond, with Gabriel and Cristiano Ronaldo Jr reportedly growing close during their time in the Man Utd academy together. Now the young forward, born in 2010, is starting to make waves playing well above his years in the club's u18 setup. The move up a level has not slowed him down, netting three times in his three appearances in the u18 Premier League. The hype surrounding his development has led to a significant boot deal with Nike which the sun reported could be worth up to six-figures. First-team boss Ruben Amorim has handed minutes to several promising Man Utd youngsters since his arrival last year, and will keep a keen eye on Gabriel over the upcoming campaign. Rashford Exit Incoming? Barcelona Push for Surprise Loan Deal! Young prospects Harry Amass, Ayden Heaven, Toby Collyer and Chido Obi all made appearances for the senior team in the Premier League this season. More established stars such as Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have also walked the pathway from the academy to the first team at the club in recent years, suggesting the opportunities are there for Gabriel should he continue to improve. 3
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Man United 14-year-old wonderkid dubbed 'Kid Messi' who wowed Cristiano Ronaldo is set to sign new deal at Old Trafford - after 'crucial' intervention avoids poaching disaster
Manchester United 's 14-year-old wonderkid JJ Gabriel has committed his future to the Red Devils following a crucial intervention from club chiefs. Mail Sports understands that Red Devils' director of football Jason Wilcox and director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves stepped in in the last week to persuade the teenager - dubbed 'Kid Messi ' - to remain in the north west. In March, it was revealed that several of United's rivals were 'desperate' to get Gabriel, who, in holding an Irish passport, was allowed to play in the European Union from the age of 16 when otherwise he would have to wait until 18. Gabriel, full name Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel, grew up in London and had spells at Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham. He honed his technique in futsal as much as in football. There is considerable hype surrounding the youngster, who Alfie Brooks, owner of Ole Futsal and Gabriel's specialist one-to-one coach, claims is already capable of stepping into a Premier League dressing room. Several of United's rivals were 'desperate' to get Gabriel, who, in holding an Irish passport, was allowed to play in the European Union from the age of 16 'When he first started training, [his competitiveness] was the standout attribute,' Brooks 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. 'He could go into a Premier League changing room right now and technically he would be better than all of them. It wouldn't even be close.' At the age of six, he spent a week focusing on his keepy-ups. By the end of that week he could do 1,000 in a row, and was fast becoming the best player in matches against players years older than him. At nine, Gabriel went viral with a YouTube video he appeared in under the moniker 'Kid Messi', a nickname the youngster is keen to shed, and now at 14 he is being called into the Under 18s as United press the accelerator on his development. It is Cristiano Ronaldo or Neymar who many talent-spotters believe he could one day mirror, more so than Messi. When Cristiano Ronaldo Jr was part of the United academy, he struck up a very close friendship with Gabriel. Presented together at Old Trafford with the No 7 (Ronaldo) and No 10 (Gabriel) shirts, they grew close and would often spend time together away from the pitch at Ronaldo Sr's seven-bedroom mansion. The Portugal and United icon took a shine to young Gabriel, giving him a signed shirt as a parting gift before he left Manchester for Saudi Arabia. Dan Ashworth, who was axed as sporting director by Sir Jim Ratcliffe last season, was an admirer of Gabriel while one team-mate in the Under 18s spoke of being 'blown away' by seeing the 14-year-old in their training sessions. Gabriel's career to date has been managed to the letter by his family with superstardom in mind. His dad, former Republic of Ireland international Joe O'Cearuill, changed the family's surname to Gabriel in a nod to their religious beliefs as well as making the United starlet more brandable. The decision was also taken to home-school Gabriel to maximise his prospects in football, while he follows a very strict diet to enhance performance. He is, to all intents and purposes, already operating as a top professional, and made his England Under 15 debut in February.
Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd wonderkid JJ Gabriel at centre of two-way battle for his signature… and it isn't for a transfer
The teenager is highly regarded by many at the club WANTED MAN Man Utd wonderkid JJ Gabriel at centre of two-way battle for his signature… and it isn't for a transfer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MANCHESTER UNITED kid JJ Gabriel is at the centre of a double battle for his signature. The whizkid attacker, 14, is being tipped to be United's YOUNGEST-EVER player. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel is on course to become Manchester United's youngest-ever first-team player Credit: jjnr10 3 Gabriel is held in incredibly high regard at the club Credit: MuTV And boot company Adidas are desperate to offer him his next lucrative deal ahead of rivals Nike, who have had him signed up for three years already. A host of agents are also circling the teen sensation, who is highly regarded by club staff. An industry insider told SunSport: 'The boy could make six figures from both the boot deal and the agents' interest. 'It's mega money but he is something special.' United are set to have a slew of outgoings this summer to finance Ruben Amorim's planned overhaul of the squad. Several big names will be up for sale, including Alejandro Garnacho and skipper Bruno Fernandes. Amorim's plans, however, could go up in smoke following United's Europa League final defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday. Sir Jim Ratcliffe could wield the axe on the Portuguese gaffer, who has overseen one of the club's WORST-EVER season. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 3 But the former Sporting Lisbon boss is willing to walk away from the club for FREE if the United brass don't believe he's the right man for the job. He said: 'In this moment, I am not going to be here defending myself. It's not my style, I cannot do it. It is really hard for me. 'So I have nothing to show to the fans and say, 'I'm going to improve because of this, I have these problems…' I will not do nothing. 'In this moment, it is a little bit of faith. Let's see. 'I'm always open, if the board and the fans feel that I am not the right guy, I will go the next day without any conversation about compensation. 'But I will not quit. I am really confident in my job. As you can see, I will not change nothing in how I do things.'
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Man Utd wonderkid JJ Gabriel at centre of two-way battle for his signature… and it isn't for a transfer
MANCHESTER UNITED kid JJ Gabriel is at the centre of a double battle for his signature. The whizkid attacker, 14, is being tipped to be United's YOUNGEST-EVER player. 2 And boot company Adidas are desperate to offer him his next lucrative deal ahead of rivals Nike, who have had him signed up for three years already. A host of agents are also circling the teen sensation, who is highly regarded by club staff. An industry insider told SunSport: 'The boy could make six figures from both the boot deal and the agents' interest. 'It's mega money but he is something special.' United are set to have a slew of outgoings this summer to finance Ruben Amorim 's planned overhaul of the squad. Several big names will be up for sale, including Alejandro Garnacho and skipper Bruno Fernandes. Amorim's plans, however, could go up in smoke following United's Europa League final defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday. Sir Jim Ratcliffe could wield the axe on the Portuguese gaffer, who has overseen one of the club's WORST-EVER season. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS But the former Sporting Lisbon boss is willing to walk away from the club for FREE if the United brass don't believe he's the right man for the job. He said: 'In this moment, I am not going to be here defending myself. It's not my style, I cannot do it. It is really hard for me. 'So I have nothing to show to the fans and say, 'I'm going to improve because of this, I have these problems…' I will not do nothing. 'In this moment, it is a little bit of faith. Let's see. 'I'm always open, if the board and the fans feel that I am not the right guy, I will go the next day without any conversation about compensation. 'But I will not quit. I am really confident in my job. As you can see, I will not change nothing in how I do things.'
The Irish Sun
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Man Utd wonderkid JJ Gabriel at centre of two-way battle for his signature… and it isn't for a transfer
MANCHESTER UNITED kid JJ Gabriel is at the centre of a double battle for his signature. The whizkid attacker, 14, is being tipped to be United's YOUNGEST-EVER player. Advertisement 3 Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel is on course to become Manchester United's youngest-ever first-team player Credit: jjnr10 3 Gabriel is held in incredibly high regard at the club Credit: MuTV And boot company Adidas are desperate to offer him his next lucrative deal ahead of rivals Nike, who have had him signed up for three years already. A host of agents are also circling the teen sensation, who is highly regarded by club staff. An industry insider told SunSport: 'The boy could make six figures from both the boot deal and the agents' interest. 'It's mega money but he is something special.' Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL United are set to have a slew of outgoings this summer to finance Several big names will be up for sale, including Alejandro Garnacho and skipper Bruno Fernandes. Amorim's plans, however, could go up in smoke following United's Europa League final defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday. Sir Jim Ratcliffe could wield the axe on the Portuguese gaffer, who has overseen one of the club's WORST-EVER season. Advertisement Most read in Sport JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 3 But the former Sporting Lisbon boss is willing to walk away from the club for FREE if the United brass don't believe he's the right man for the job. He said: 'In this moment, I am not going to be here defending myself. It's not my style, I cannot do it. It is really hard for me. Advertisement 'So I have nothing to show to the fans and say, 'I'm going to improve because of this, I have these problems…' I will not do nothing. 'In this moment, it is a little bit of faith. Let's see. 'I'm always open, if the board and the fans feel that I am not the right guy, I will go the next day without any conversation about compensation. 'But I will not quit. I am really confident in my job. As you can see, I will not change nothing in how I do things.' Advertisement
