7 things you should know about ‘next Neymar’ JJ Gabriel who scored hat-trick vs Liverpool – Daily Star
JJ Gabriel banged in a hat-trick for Manchester United’s Under 18s in a 7-0 win against Liverpool U18s and here’s why he may soon be worthy of a spot in Ruben Amorim’s senior squad
18:11, 29 Nov 2025
JJ Gabriel celebrates after scoring for Manchester United against Liverpool(Image: Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
All you need to know about Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel who made light work of Liverpool
- JJ Gabriel (Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel) is a Manchester United youth footballer, born in 2010, who plays as a forward for the club’s U18 team.
- Aged just 15, he has been nicknamed the ‘next Neymar’ due to his self-proclaimed admiration for the Brazil legend and similarities in playing style to the former Barcelona superstar.
- It’s suggested he could be the most promising talent United’s academy has ever nurtured – he already has a sponsorship deal with Nike and fans have branded him “Kid Messi” on account of his prodigious talents.
- On Saturday he netted two solo goals in the first half of a clash against bitter rivals Liverpool’s U18s and added a third after the interval.
- His first goal was a brilliant display of skill, as he weaved through the defence before slotting home. Gabriel’s second was equally impressive, a strong shot into the top of the net to make it three. Gabriel rounded off his superb performance with his third goal and United’s seventh.
- Gabriel has been training with the first team under Ruben Amorim. He and his family were invited to the Old Trafford directors’ box for the season opener against Arsenal and he has had discussions with the Portuguese coach.
- Omar Berrada (United’s CEO) and Jason Wilcox (director of football) were involved in talks to retain Gabriel over the summer, leading fans to speculate about when he might make his senior debut.
- READ THE FULL STORY: Man Utd thrash Liverpool 7-0 as ‘next Neymar’ wonderkid scores hat-trick for Under-18s
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