JJ Gabriel (foto: Getty Images)
JJ Gabriel has joined Manchester United's first-team camp in Dublin as the club continues its efforts to convince the 15-year-old sensation that Old Trafford is his future.
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Manchester United have added nine players to their squad for this week's training camp in Dublin, but one name stands out from the rest: JJ Gabriel.
Gabriel is only 15 years old, yet Michael Carrick has once again invited one of the club's greatest academy talents to work with the senior squad.
United confirmed that nine additional players had joined the group, with Gabriel described as the player who "rounds off the group."
Six of the nine additions come from United's academy, but Gabriel is comfortably the youngest. He is three years younger than the other youngsters selected by Carrick.
His inclusion therefore represents another major indication of how highly he is regarded at Old Trafford.
Carrick keeps opening the first-team door
Carrick has selected academy players considered closest to contributing at senior level, making Gabriel's presence particularly significant.
This is also not his first experience with the first team.
Gabriel has regularly trained alongside senior players and Carrick handed him his first-team pre-season debut against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm.
United are giving him opportunities few footballers receive at such a young age.
There is a clear sporting reason for doing so, but there is also another important consideration.
Europe's biggest clubs want Gabriel
Manchester United know they face a battle to retain their teenage sensation.
Some of Europe's leading clubs are monitoring Gabriel's development closely, and interest is expected to intensify as he approaches his next birthday.
Gabriel committed his immediate future to United last year, but the club knows that rival teams will continue trying to convince him to leave Manchester.
His eligibility for a European passport through his parents also makes the situation particularly interesting for continental clubs.
United therefore want to demonstrate something more valuable than promises: a genuine pathway from the academy into the first team.
United believe he could become the face of the club
The scale of United's belief in Gabriel has been apparent for some time.
When the youngster came close to leaving last summer, club officials reportedly stressed that they viewed him as someone capable of becoming the future face of Manchester United.
He was only 14.
United have subsequently made considerable efforts to demonstrate his importance.
Gabriel and his family have been invited into the directors' box at Old Trafford, while the teenager has also been introduced to legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Last season, he received a personal introduction to then-coach Ruben Amorim.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Amorim discussed his football philosophy with Gabriel and emphasised the importance of hard work, using Cristiano Ronaldo as an example.
Now Carrick has continued opening doors for the teenager.
United players are already impressed
Gabriel has also made an impression inside Carrington.
Club employees have reportedly been impressed by his attitude and politeness, while senior players have quickly recognised his unusual footballing ability.
Bryan Mbeumo offered particularly interesting praise.
"You can feel that the little guy has something special," he said.
Defender Leny Yoro described Gabriel as a "really good player," while Ayden Heaven went even further.
"He's really good, obviously. For his age, he's unbelievable, and he's ready when he gets his chance. We expect a lot from him from what we see."
Those comments explain why United are working so hard to protect their relationship with the teenager.
The pathway matters more than promises
Manchester United have one significant advantage when trying to convince Gabriel to remain at Old Trafford: their history of developing academy players.
But reputation alone will not decide his future.
The teenager and his representatives need evidence that opportunities will arrive if his development continues.
Carrick is now providing exactly that.
First-team training sessions, a pre-season debut and now inclusion in the Dublin camp represent tangible steps towards senior football.
Gabriel still has an enormous amount of development ahead of him, and United will need to manage expectations surrounding a footballer who is still only 15.
Yet the message coming from Old Trafford is becoming increasingly difficult to miss.
Manchester United believe JJ Gabriel could become their next great homegrown star. Europe's biggest clubs are watching, and United are doing everything possible to make sure his journey continues in Manchester.