Manchester United Sign JJ Gabriel With New Two-Year Deal After Late Intervention

Manchester United have reached a deal with 14-year-old star JJ Gabriel to stay at Old Trafford. Academy director Jason Wilcox played a key role in the contract, ending speculation about Gabriel leaving amid attention from major European clubs.

According to a previous report, JJ Gabriel will sign a new contract with Manchester United.

WHAT HAPPENED?

JJ Gabriel, considered the most gifted player in Man Utd’s academy, was close to leaving this summer. Interest from major Premier League and European teams, such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, had threatened to lure him away. The young midfielder, who is eligible to play in the EU from age 16, had already featured above his age group, making several appearances for United’s under-18 side last season.

As noted in a previous report, JJ Gabriel turned down offers from Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.

Key meetings last week involving Wilcox and other club leaders convinced Gabriel to sign the new deal.

WHO IS JJ GABRIEL?

JJ Gabriel has been called a ‘kid Messi’ by fans and coaches for his dribbling and creativity. His performances for the under-18s, despite being just 14 years old, have highlighted his extraordinary potential.

As confirmed in a previous report, at 14, JJ Gabriel has already played for Manchester United’s under-18 team.

Gabriel is already the highest-rated player of his age in the club’s academy.

Losing Gabriel would have been a big blow for United’s youth team strategy, as the club looks to close the gap on City’s crops of emerging talents and compete with Chelsea’s top-class facilities, Liverpool’s improving academics, and Arsenal’s excellent scouting network for future recruitment.

WHAT NEXT FOR GABRIEL?

The next challenge for Manchester United will be to integrate Gabriel further into their academy path. With the contract now sealed, the club can focus on helping him develop through the higher youth levels. For Gabriel, the aim will be to stand out in the under-18 and under-21 teams and stay on the radar as a future first-team star.

According to a previous report, Manchester United finished fifteenth in the Premier League for the 2024-25 season and are focusing on developing young talent for the senior team.

For the first team, they kick off their Premier League season against Arsenal, looking up at clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City – as they aim to qualify again for European football, something they will be missing this year.