Manchester United's 15-year-old new Messi plays first team practice match for the first time! No Premier League chance this season, but debut might come

Manchester United's 15-year-old "Little Messi," JJ Gabriel, confirmed he took part in a first-team practice match for the first time. At the start of this season, this player, hailed as the next youth prodigy of the Red Devils, became the main striker for the under-18 team at just 14 years old.

Under the guidance of Darren Fletcher, Manchester United's U18 team coach, Gabriel scored 7 goals in 6 matches, becoming the team's top scorer and easily adapting to playing against older opponents. Earlier this month, on October 6, Gabriel celebrated his 15th birthday, and Ruben Amorim fulfilled the club’s promise made during his contract renewal by allowing him to train with the first team.

This summer, many top European clubs invited Gabriel to join them, but Manchester United's sporting director Jason Wilcox successfully persuaded him to renew his contract and stay. The club made several promises, including inviting him and his family to watch the Premier League opener between Manchester United and Arsenal from the directors’ box. Head coach Ruben Amorim also told the young player that he would occasionally train with the first team this season.

Now, Gabriel has confirmed on social media that he has joined first-team training. Simon Stone from BBC revealed that Gabriel participated in a full 11v11 practice match. The Manchester Evening News even suggested the possibility that Gabriel's debut could break Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri’s record as the youngest Premier League player at 15 years and 181 days.

However, this is actually impossible. According to Premier League rules, players must be at least 15 years old before the start of the season, i.e., by August 2025, to be eligible to play. This means Gabriel can only make his league debut for Manchester United no earlier than the 2026/27 season. Therefore, he cannot surpass Arsenal's Max Dean’s record as the second youngest Premier League player at 15 years and 235 days.

Regarding the youngest Premier League player record, Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster scored on his debut at 16 years and 361 days. If Gabriel develops well and is able to play early next season, he could have a chance to break this record.

However, Gabriel has a good chance to become Manchester United’s youngest Premier League player ever. Angel Gomes (16 years 263 days), Shola Shoretire (17 years 19 days), and Chidozie Awaziem (17 years 79 days) are currently the top three youngest players to appear for United in the Premier League.

In the FA Cup, the eligibility rules are more lenient. The FA states that players who are at least 15 years old at the time of the match, properly registered, and have parental or guardian consent along with school approval, can participate. Manchester United will enter the FA Cup in the third round next January, and if Amorim agrees, Gabriel could be used then.

But the BBC reported that participating in first-team training is part of Gabriel’s development plan. Even without regulatory restrictions, Manchester United does not intend to field Gabriel in first-team matches this season. In the current environment, letting such a young player appear prematurely serves little purpose beyond setting records.

Manchester United has repeatedly seen talented young stars given too much status and money too early, causing them to lose focus on their football careers. Fans hope Gabriel will be nurtured not only in football skills but also in professional attitude and life management, resisting temptations and growing into a true superstar.