Man Utd wonderkid JJ Gabriel, 15, BLOCKED from changing with team-mates in dressing room this season

MANCHESTER UNITED starlet JJ Gabriel will be blocked from getting dressed in the first-team changing room this season. The 15-year-old prodigy was forced to get dressed alone and away from Michael Carrick‘s squad before stepping out for his senior debut against Atletico Madrid. JJ Gabriel will be blocked from getting dressed in the first-team changing room this season Credit: Getty Strict Premier League and club safeguarding rules mean Gabriel must change separately down the corridor from the main dressing room at Old Trafford Credit: Getty Strict Premier League and club safeguarding rules mean Gabriel must change separately down the corridor from the main Old Trafford dressing room this season. Gabriel turns 16 in October, so he is officially able to make his Prem bow this term, despite not being able to sign a pro deal until he turns 17 next year. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! Prem regulations state that any player under 18 must suit up away from the senior squad for both training sessions and matchdays. The teenager will be allowed back into the dressing room to hear Carrick’s team talks once all of his team-mates are dressed. Although it doesn’t affect Gabriel and United because they are sponsored by Snapdragon, regulations also mean that players Under-18 cannot wear betting sponsors on their kits. Gabriel was subbed on alongside midfielder Jim Thwaites in the 82nd minute of United’s 2-1 win over Atletico in Stockholm on Saturday. The wonderkid now has the chance, however slim, to become United’s youngest EVER player when the League Cup kicks off in September. His bow against Atletico didn’t count officially, meaning David Gaskell’s 1956 record — set under Sir Matt Busby at 16 years and 19 days old — still stands. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK A general view inside the Manchester United dressing room Credit: Getty Arsenal‘s Max Dowman was similarly fast-tracked and had to change away from Mikel Arteta‘s Prem winning squad last season. Gabriel has played above his age for England’s Under-17s already amd is gearing up for a potential adult appearance by hitting the gym. United promised Gabriel a first-team pathway when club chiefs, including director of football Jason Wilcox, personally convinced him to stay last summer amid interest from Barcelona. The youngster went onto win the Under-18 Premier League player of the season last term despite only being 14 when the campaign began. He was first called up to Carrick’s matchday squad for United’s trip to Trondheim, where he was an unused sub. Gabriel was a stand-out performer last term, scoring 29 times in 32 appearances, helping them reach the FA Youth Cup and Under-18 cup finals. Comment now