JJ Gabriel handed new Manchester United shirt number

Manchester United could be set for history, with a new youngest-ever first-team player.

15-year-old JJ Gabriel has been included in the Red Devils’ pre-season camp, with head coach Michael Carrick confirming the exciting forward will get his moment.

“JJ Gabriel, Santos and Lacey are fine, they will have some minutes in the friendly games.” Carrick recently admitted.

What comes with a new campaign and new opportunity is also a new shirt number.

Gabriel’s first-ever United shirt number was #95, allocated to him when he was permitted to train with the club’s first team in October 2025.

Ahead of the 2026/27 campaign and pre-season duty, JJ Gabriel has now been handed the #77 shirt number, which he was pictured holding following the Red Devils’ 5-0 win over Rosenborg, a game he watched from the sidelines.

While Michael Carrick didn’t offer Gabriel his debut in that thrashing of the Norwegian side, the 15-year-old should be set for his chance in a coming match.

The Red Devils still have Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds United and a meeting with Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan on their pre-season schedule. If Carrick follows up on his promise, United fans will see their most exciting youth prospect take to the field in one of those games.

If and when that happens, it will be a moment of history for the club, as JJ Gabriel becomes their youngest-ever first-team player.

The club has an exciting future ahead, as its academy looks to return to its best. While 2026/27 may be a year or so too early for JJ Gabriel to make a proper impact in the Premier League for the Red Devils, the club will be hoping his talents are proven in the not-too-distant future.