Darren Fletcher scoffs at claim wonderkid, 15, will be promoted to Man Utd first-team but still hails ‘fantastic talent’
DARREN FLETCHER is “super excited” by Manchester United whizzkid JJ Gabriel.
Gabriel, 15, has already trained with the United first team this season amid interest from Barcelona.
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JJ Gabriel, 15, scored at Old Trafford last monthCredit: Getty
Gabriel scored a hat-trick against Liverpool U18sCredit: Getty
The attacking midfielder has scored 11 goals in 14 games for Fletcher’s Under 18s, including United’s FA Youth Cup third round winner against Peterborough at Old Trafford last month.
Fletcher scoffed at rumours that Gabriel could be named in the United squad for the FA Cup third round visit of Brighton on Sunday but raved about the England Under 16 international.
Fletcher beamed: “JJ is a fantastic talent. I’ve enjoyed working with him immensely, getting to know him.
“He’s a young lad with a massive sort of hype. You know there’s a lot of noise around him and deservedly so because he’s a real talented kid.
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“He works hard. He loves football. First thing I’d say is he loves football.
“He loves training, he loves playing, he loves having the ball, he loves expressing himself. He makes fantastic decisions. He’s just got an enthusiasm for the game that’s just amazing. Fifteen-year-old. A bright future ahead of him.
“I’m super excited by his talent, but the most important thing is that he keeps developing, and he’s in the under 18s team and he’s doing fantastically well.
“But he’s still got lots to learn. He’s developing within there. But the world’s his oyster and he just needs to go on his journey and his time will come in due course.
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“But for just now, it’s a little bit early I think (to put him in the first team) and I think a lot of people would agree with me.
“But I couldn’t speak highly enough of JJ. He’s got an amazing family and amazing support around him and he’s somebody we’re delighted to have at the club.
“And we just hope he keeps improving, learning every day and just keep being the boy that he is, really.
“And enjoying playing football and going and expressing themselves and scoring lots of goals so the Manchester United under 18s win every game.
“And then I’ll be a happy man.”
