Top News

Evening Standard

·24 July 2026

Evening Standard

·24 July 2026

15-year-old sensation JJ Gabriel picked by Michael Carrick for Norway trip in pre-season

The 15-year-old wonderkid has been turning heads with his displays in training and across the academy sides at Old Trafford, and there is now a chance of first-team minutes as he travels to Norway with Michael Carrick’s senior squad on Friday.

As always, results are not the biggest concern in pre-season, but Man Utd will want to open their summer account this afternoon after coming up short against Wrexham in Helsinki last time out.

Carrick used different line-ups in each half of that game, and he is expected to do the same against Rosenborg.

Even so, a few players are still unavailable. Benjamin Sesko is continuing to recover from a shin injury, Matthijs de Ligt is working his way back after back surgery, and new goalkeeper Karl Darlow is also recuperating from a minor procedure carried out at the end of last season.

Carrick went with a side made up largely of first-team players from the start against Wrexham. Changes were anticipated against Rosenborg, but he has been eager to keep his main core together on the pitch.

History beckons: JJ Gabriel looks set to make his Manchester United debut aged just 15

With that in mind, summer signing Andrey Santos keeps his place in midfield and links up with Mason Mount.

Joshua Zirkzee is still being linked with a summer exit from United, but he was chosen to lead the line against Wrexham and retains his spot. Out wide, Patrick Dorgu and Bryan Mbeumo will welcome the extra minutes in their legs, while Shea Lacey also comes into the side.

Radek Vitek starts even though he asked to leave the club in an interview after the Wrexham match.

Youngster Tynan Thompson is not involved after completing an £8million move from Tottenham earlier this week.

Manchester United squad: Tom Heaton, Radek Vitek, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Patrick Dorgu, Andrey Santos, Bryan Mbeumo, Chido Obi, Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher, Harry Amass, Toby Collyer, Dan Gore, Dermot Mee, Shea Lacey, Ethan Williams, Jaydan Kamason, Jacob Devaney, Jim Thwaites, Dan Armer, JJ Gabriel.

Injured: De Ligt, Sesko, Darlow

Víkingur ReykjavíkKeflavíkWatch

Red Bull New York IICrown Legacy FCWatch

Kickers OffenbachBayer LeverkusenWatch

Inter Miami CF IIToronto FC IIWatch

Chattanooga FCPhiladelphia Union IIWatch

Carolina Core FCChicago Fire FC IIWatch

North TexasLos Angeles Football Club 2Watch

Ventura County FCSan Jose Earthquakes IIWatch