Manchester United academy: JJ Gabriel’s debut and Kai Rooney’s impact noted

By Joel Kavanagh — 13 August 2026 — 3 min read

Gabriel’s Progress and Academy Fixtures

Manchester United’s academy teams have recently learned their fixture schedules for the upcoming season. While the Under-21s and Under-18s did not secure a trophy last season, they are aiming for silverware in the new campaign. The Under-21s are set to commence their season against Ipswich, two days after the first team’s Premier League match against Hull.

JJ Gabriel has continued his training with the first team, having been part of a senior matchday squad for the first time against Rosenborg in Norway, which was the second pre-season game of the summer. Michael Carrick gave Gabriel his first-team debut in Stockholm against Atletico Madrid. Gabriel was also part of the travelling squad for a training camp near Dublin. Although he is spending more time with the first team, he is expected to play with the Under-21s for the opening day of the Premier League season, as the senior bench will be full.

Gabriel has participated in behind-closed-doors friendlies for the Under-21s this summer, but he is yet to make a competitive debut at that age level. There are no longer restrictions on where he can play, including at senior level, making a proper senior debut in the first half of the season a possibility. Last season, Gabriel was unable to play for the Under-21s because he was 14 when the campaign started, leading him to spend the season with the Under-18s.

Interest in JJ Gabriel is reportedly strong, with Chelsea showing significant interest in the 15-year-old. Other clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham, are also said to be interested. Gabriel was voted the U18 Premier League Player of the Season in 2025/26. Manchester United remains confident in retaining the player and is working to secure his future before his 16th birthday, when he will be eligible to sign scholarship terms.

Academy Talent and Transfer Strategy

The Manchester United Under-18s will host Manchester City at Carrington on August 22 for their opening league fixture. This match is seen as an early title decider, as the two Manchester clubs have dominated the U18 Northern League, with City winning the title by four points last season and two points the season before, and United finishing as runners-up both times. Fans will not be able to attend the clash at Carrington, but MUTV will broadcast the game. This fixture is also a repeat of the FA Youth Cup final from May.

Kai Rooney and Jacey Carrick are expected to feature prominently for the Under-18s in the new campaign. Both players earned their scholarship deals on merit. Rooney made his debut at Old Trafford last season, coming on as a substitute in an FA Youth Cup game against Derby. Rooney has transitioned from playing as a striker to operating on the wing, preferring to cut inside with his left foot.

United is also reportedly interested in signing Louis Page, an 18-year-old midfielder from Leicester City. Page has already made 21 senior appearances for Leicester across all competitions. The club aims to attract players like Page by highlighting the pathway to the first team, using Ayden Heaven as an example, who is now a permanent member of the first team.

The club has been working to improve its record of selling academy players, aiming to receive higher fees or include favourable clauses in sales. This strategy became more noticeable in the summer of 2024, with clauses such as buy-backs and sell-ons included in the sales of academy players like Mason Greenwood, Alvaro Fernandez, and Willy Kambwala. This approach continued with the transfer of Ethan Williams to Peterborough, which included a 50 per cent sell-on clause, buyback, and matching rights clauses.

In pre-season, Manchester United suffered a 1-0 defeat against Wrexham but then recorded wins against Rosenborg (5-0) and Atletico Madrid (2-1).

Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk