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Bryan Mbeumo makes JJ Gabriel claim after training with Man Utd academy star
Mar 12 2026 19:10 · By Chris Davie · 30 Reads
Bryan Mbeumo says JJ Gabriel is ‘technically strong’ (Getty/Zack En Roue Libre)
Bryan Mbeumo believes JJ Gabriel ‘has something special’ after training alongside Manchester United ’s top academy prospect.
The 15-year-old made his debut for United’s academy last year and became the youngest-ever player at the age of 14 to play for the club’s Under-18s, scoring twice against Leeds United.
In his first full season with United’s academy, Gabriel has been a standout performer, scoring 20 goals in 22 appearances for the Under-18s.
Gabriel has frequently trained with United’s first-team squad and was included in Thursday’s session as Michael Carrick ’s side prepared for their Premier League match at home to Aston Villa on Sunday.
United are now facing calls to promote Gabriel to Carrick’s squad on a permanent basis, however, the 15-year-old is ineligible to make his Premier League debut this season due to age restrictions and must wait until the start of the 2026/27 campaign .
When asked for his verdict on Gabriel, Mbeumo said in an interview with Zack En Roue Libre: ‘He’s strong, the little guy is strong.
JJ Gabriel has scored 20 goals in 22 appearances for Manchester United’s Under-18s this season (Getty)
‘Yeah, he’s strong, he’s really something, frankly. He’s really strong for, I don’t know how old he is, I think he’s 15.
‘You feel that he’s bound to be a little kid but he trains quite a bit with us and actually you see, you can feel that the little guy has something special.
JJ Gabriel trained with Manchester United’s first-team squad on Thursday (Getty)
‘Of course, and you also see it when he plays already he’s not even with the guys of his generation, and what he does you feel it’s easy for him.
‘He’s actually kind of a winger, he’s a dribbler and even in front of the box, I still think he’s good, honestly. Even when it’s one-on-one, often when you’re young, one-on-one in front of the goalkeeper, you stutter but I think he already has good blood.
‘We saw him score some nice goals, he has a good shot. Technically he’s strong.’