BARCELONA are trying to sign Manchester United teenage sensation JJ Gabriel.
Gabriel, 15, is arguably the most talked-about talent in the United academy and he has scored ten goals in ten games for the Under-18s this season.
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JJ Gabriel is being chased by Barcelona amid a sensation season for Man Utd’s U18sCredit: Getty
The England Under-16 international hit a hat-trick in the 7-0 thrashing of Liverpool at the weekend but Barcelona are making a serious effort to prise Gabriel from United and take him to their famed La Masia academy.
Sources say United director of football Jason Wilcox was key in convincing Gabriel to stay at the club this season and next term.
United insiders believe the involvement of Wilcox demonstrated to Gabriel’s family how much they value the forward and there is confidence they will keep him.
For the first time last week, United published images of Gabriel in training with the first-team squad and manager Ruben Amorim held a separate meeting with the teenager and his camp.
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The forward was temporarily promoted to first-team training last Thursday as the Under-21s had a behind-closed-doors game on Friday and took on Anderlecht in the Premier League International Cup on Tuesday night.
Gabriel confirmed on his Instagram account in October that he had trained with the first-team and United manager Ruben Amorim was asked about his inclusion.
Amorim said: “Like everyone, I know he is a really talented guy and everyone paid attention on social media.
“You could see the U21s had a game and we had less players and tried to pick players for training that have talent.
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Gabriel has been in prolific formCredit: Getty
“Not just for me to see for tomorrow but for them to feel what it means to be in the first team, the difficulties playing against our defenders, the difficulty of our training, the pace.
“If we can use every training we have to show the kids what they need to do to be here, it is important, not just for JJ but for everyone.”
United have still not uploaded Gabriel’s profile to the academy section to their website even though he made his debut for their youth team as a 14-year-old in April.
Gabriel signed for United at the age of 10 and posed for his ‘unveiling’ alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son, who spent nine months in the club’s academy in 2022.
Gabriel could make his Old Trafford debut when United start their FA Youth Cup campaign against Peterborough United on Tuesday.
Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher is now in charge of the Under-18s.
