JJ Gabriel, 15, expected to make record-breaking Man Utd debut this season

THERE IS a growing expectation at Manchester United that teenage sensation JJ Gabriel will make his first team debut this season. Gabriel, 15, scored a magnificent lob on his under-21 bow in the 5-0 thrashing of Ipswich Town on Monday night. Gabriel celebrates his lob Credit: Getty Gabriel started for United U21s for the first time Credit: Getty The playmaker trained with the senior squad during pre-season and came on in the 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on August 1. Gabriel returned to training with the academy last week, as United now have a full senior squad, with only Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte unavailable through injury. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! But Gabriel is expected to get more exposure under Michael Carrick as United look to ensure he signs a pre-contract agreement when he turns 16. Gabriel celebrates his 16th birthday on October 6 and he cannot sign a professional deal until his 17th next year. United have embarked on a charm offensive with Gabriel in an attempt to see off interest from Barcelona. Gabriel trained with the first team as early as last October, travelled to United’s pre-season training camp in Ireland, has received the brand-conscious number 77 and was listed among the Premier League squad numbers United published on Saturday. Former United coach Ruben Amorim and director of football Jason Wilcox also held discussions with Gabriel and his family. Coincidentally, Gabriel spent part of his summer in Barcelona as he worked on gaining muscle mass. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The League Cup third round draw takes place on Wednesday and the dates for the third and fourth round ties offer Gabriel the chance to make history. If Gabriel is deemed ready to play by Carrick, then he could become United’s youngest ever player. David Gaskell has been United’s youngest ever debutant since he came on in the 1956 Charity Shield aged 16 years and 19 days. Gabriel plundered 26 goals in 26 games last season and was named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year by United. Comment now