Man United starlet dubbed ‘Kid Messi’ tipped for breakout season

Man United wonderkid JJ Gabriel has been tipped to be a breakthrough star for the club next season.

There is a huge amount of buzz around the 15-year-old at Old Trafford.

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Despite not turning 16 until October, he has been a standout star for United’s Under-18s this season.

The forward has 18 goals in 21 games, which has earned him a regular spot training with the first team.

He has even been dubbed ‘Kid Messi’, but talkSPORT’s Inside Devils YouTube show do not want too much pressure piled on him.

United fan and YouTuber Flex said: “He is still 15 and appearing regularly in first team training. The kid looks special.

“Don’t get carried away. Don’t think he’s the next Messi. Don’t think he’s Lamine Yamal, etc. 

“However, you don’t train with the main squad by accident.

“You’ve not walked onto the wrong training pitch, have you? He came on in a couple of games early on in the season, but is he one where you’re looking at next season as potentially being his breakout in the first team? 

“Sometimes the kids are just good enough and they need to kick down the door.”

Max Dowman plan

Another teenage sensation is Arsenal’s Max Dowman, who made his senior debut at the club aged 15.

The Gunners have not been too fast in throwing him into regular first team games, instead letting him develop at his own pace.

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United have been urged to do the same with Gabriel.

United fan Angelina Kelly said: “I think it’s almost maybe worked in his [Gabriel’s] favour that United don’t have loads of games. So he’s not really going to have those chances that it’s just kind of easing him in a little bit more gently, to train with the first team. 

“Hopefully we’re going to be competing long term in four competitions. We’re not going to give them all up in the first game of the FA Cup or the League Cup, fingers crossed. So that will bring opportunities.

“It is really important with these young players that we protect them. You’ve got to balance it out of protecting and nurturing a young star, but also giving them the opportunities. 

“I think we’ve seen Arsenal with [Max] Dowman quite well. I think maybe following a similar model.”

talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook added: “It’s interesting when you look at young players now, because you see it with Arsenal. The comparison is totally relevant when it comes to Max Dowman. 

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“A lot of the big clubs don’t seem to want to loan out their young talent. David Beckham started his career at Preston North End.

“That doesn’t happen so much now, not with the genuine superstars that are coming through. 

“I don’t think we’re going to see him in the first team this season, not at the age of 15. But if he keeps doing what he’s doing in the underage groups, I think he will be part of any post or pre-season tour. 

“Then they’re going to have a decision to make Manchester United, aren’t they?”

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Gabriel transfer interest?

A number of top European clubs are, unsurprisingly, monitoring his progress. Chief among them was said to be Barcelona.

Flex added: “Barcelona were reportedly trying to prize him away and United sort of gave him a lot of promises to say, you’re going to train with the first team, you’re going to do this, you’re going to do that. 

“He signed a new deal, but he will be hot property and he will be looking to play men’s football soon. 

“I think you get to the summer. It probably helps that there’s a World Cup and there’s so many players that are away.

“So when it’s time for the tour a lot of players could still be away. So you need to use the youngsters and he’s got a really good opportunity to see what happens there.”