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Manchester United appear ready to showcase one of their brightest young prospects in years during their upcoming pre-season fixture against Rosenborg. The 15-year-old sensation, JJ Gabriel, looks poised to finally make his senior debut as the club carefully manages his progression into the professional ranks.

Wonderkid heads for Norwegian test

Manchester United’s teenage star JJ Gabriel is tipped to make his much-anticipated first-team appearance when the Red Devils square off against Rosenborg. Michael Carrick’s men are set to face the Norwegian side in their second pre-season friendly of the summer on Friday.

The potential inclusion of the 15-year-old marks a significant moment for United’s academy, which continues to nurture top-tier talent for the senior team under Carrick’s guidance.

A similar squad to the one that recently fell 1-0 to Wrexham is expected, though with a few adjustments. Gabriel trained with the senior team at Carrington on Monday and is being considered for the travelling party to Norway.

Carrick praises the young star

Reflecting on Gabriel’s progress last season, United manager Michael Carrick said: “He’s not allowed [to make his debut] yet, he’s too young. He’s doing really well, JJ. We’ve got some excellent young players in the academy and we try to bring them up to train with the first team whenever we can. It’s all about giving them exposure and letting them experience that environment.”

The United boss continued: “JJ is a huge talent — that much is clear. He’s had a fantastic season for the U18s. We think very highly of him, but patience is key. It’s about managing his development carefully, as we do with all our younger players, and choosing the right time for him to make the step up.”

Historic rise through the academy

Gabriel joined Manchester United’s youth setup in 2022 and has rapidly climbed through the age categories. In 2025, he became the youngest player ever to represent the club’s under-18 side and has frequently been invited to train with the senior team.

Following the team’s recent friendly outing, Gabriel took to social media to reflect on his journey. After the defeat to Wrexham, he posted: “The longer you wait for something, the more you appreciate it when it comes, because anything worth having is worth waiting for.”

United strengthen youth and senior ranks

Beyond Gabriel’s rise, Manchester United have been active in strengthening their youth ranks, recently securing a deal to sign Tynan Thompson from Tottenham Hotspur for £4 million plus £4 million in potential add-ons. The move underscores the club’s strategy of long-term sustainability by signing promising homegrown talent. Meanwhile, at senior level, United are leading the race to sign Manu Kone from AS Roma to reinforce their midfield.

The pursuit of Kone reflects the club’s ambition to blend emerging academy graduates with established international players. For now, though, all eyes remain on JJ Gabriel as he prepares for his potential first-team bow in Norway.