JJ Gabriel receives serious interest from Premier League rival

Manchester United’s academy has rarely been short on headlines this season, with several rising talents catching the eye.

Amorim’s decision to open up more sessions for academy prospects has created a noticeable pathway, with several youngsters regularly spotted around the first-team group.

The club’s recruitment staff have also stepped up their work behind the scenes, strengthening development plans after renewed interest from rival giants in United’s most promising teenagers.

United sources have spoken repeatedly about the importance of resisting external pressure and ensuring the club remains the most attractive place for emerging talent to grow.

That approach has become even more vital with top sides across Europe pushing aggressively for the brightest prospects in England.

Only after all of that did the focus shift to one name dominating internal discussions: JJ Gabriel.

The 15-year-old has become one of the most talked-about academy talents in Europe, and Manchester City were among the clubs who pushed hardest to lure him away, as reported by The Athletic.

City’s interest was serious, and they were not alone, with Barcelona and other elite European sides tracking the forward’s progress closely as his performances for United’s youth teams began to attract wider attention.

JJ Gabriel has been a standout for Darren Fletcher’s under-18s despite playing three years above his age group, scoring 10 goals in 11 games and producing a stunning hat-trick in the 7-0 demolition of Liverpool in November.

His impact has only strengthened United’s belief that he is central to their long-term plans, a belief made clearer when he marked his first appearance at Old Trafford by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Peterborough to send United into the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.

That moment came with another milestone attached, as Gabriel played the tie at just 15 years, two months and three days old, becoming the youngest United player ever to feature in the competition, overtaking Omari Forson’s previous mark.

His rapid rise also explains why United acted decisively in June.

After Gabriel and his family indicated they were considering a move, the club organised an emergency meeting the day after he returned from holiday.

The intervention proved crucial, with senior figures including Matt Hargreaves and Jason Wilcox presenting the vision and pathway they believed would keep him in Manchester.

Their message landed, turning the situation around at a moment when City and others sensed an opportunity.

Now, with Gabriel continuing to excel and attract attention across Europe, United remain determined to ensure their next star stays exactly where they believe he belongs.