Fabrizio Romano has reported that Manchester United are “convinced” JJ Gabriel is “a gem”, after the youngster became the youngest-ever player to appear for the Red Devils’ first team.

JJ Gabriel made his Manchester United first-team debut against Atletico Madrid at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm on Saturday.

At 15 years of age, the teenager became the youngest-ever player to feature for the Manchester United first team, although the appearance came in an unofficial match.

JJ Gabriel trained regularly with the Manchester United first team last season, but the forward was not eligible to play for Michael Carrick’s side in the Premier League.

That was because JJ Gabriel only turned 15 in October 2025.

Under the rules, a player cannot play in the Premier League if he turns 15 after the beginning of September in that particular season.

However, the youngster will be able to play for Manchester United in the Premier League during the 2026/27 campaign.

After the match against Atletico, which Manchester United won 2-1, Carrick said about JJ Gabriel and Jim Thwaites coming on as substitutes: “Jimmy and JJ coming on are two younger players again.

“They had a first taste of it for us, so it’s great for me to be in a position to give the opportunities to the boys.”

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that, internally, Manchester United believe the 15-year-old is “a gem”.

Romano said at 4:49pm on August 1: “JJ Gabriel made his first team debut for Manchester United in unofficial game, the youngest ever.

“Michael Carrick: ‘I’m happy to give a chance to young talents, they deserve it’.

“#MUFC convinced they have a gem in their hands.”

Manchester United defender Leny Yoro has also been highly impressed by JJ Gabriel.

The Manchester Evening News quoted Yoro as saying about the teenager: “He’s a really good player.

“Still really young, still a lot to learn, a lot to improve.

“He’s really humble, still working, so I’m happy for him to get his first minutes, so I hope for him it’s going to continue like that.

“I can see myself.

“[I would say] stay humble, just want to work, and this is what we need in the team, even for the young guys.

“They’re all doing really well, and JJ is one of them, so I hope he’s going to learn a lot, continue like that, improve, yeah.