Manchester United's teenage sensation JJ Gabriel is set to make his senior debut during the club's pre-season tour of mainland Europe. The 15-year-old, who scored 21 goals in 23 appearances for the under-18s last season, will be part of the squad for friendlies across five countries.
Gabriel, who turned 15 in March, was previously ineligible for first-team action due to Premier League age restrictions. Those rules no longer apply, paving the way for him to potentially become one of the youngest players ever to feature in the top flight next season.
United's pre-season schedule begins with a match against Wrexham in Helsinki on July 18, followed by a clash with Rosenborg in Trondheim on July 23. The team will then face Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on August 1 and Paris St Germain in Gothenburg on August 8. Further fixtures include a meeting with Leeds in Dublin on August 12 and a high-profile friendly against AC Milan in Wroclaw, Poland on August 15.
Gabriel is expected to feature in the early friendlies at a minimum, with the potential for more involvement if he impresses. The club is keen to demonstrate a clear pathway to the first team, especially with several stars still recovering from the World Cup.
Michael Carrick, who invited Gabriel to train with the first team last season, praised the youngster's talent but urged patience. 'JJ is a big talent, it is pretty obvious,' Carrick said. 'But patience is important in managing everything that comes with that and developing him.'
Director of football Jason Wilcox expressed excitement about the tour, saying: 'With fixtures now confirmed across five countries and six fantastic cities, these matches will provide strong preparation for the 2026-27 season and a valuable opportunity to connect with our incredible fans across Europe.'
