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A regular complaint during Ruben Amorim’s tenure was that he simply did not trust Manchester United’s academy players.
That was not always the case. In his first six months in charge, the Portuguese tactician handed debuts to Harry Amass, Chido Obi, and Tyler Fredricson.
At one point, the Red Devils were second on the list for minutes afforded to teenage stars. However, the trend quickly fizzled out in his first full season in charge.
Kobbie Mainoo never got a Premier League start, while up until December, not a single debut was handed out even though there were opportunities and gaps in the squad.
Amorim’s anti-academy stance
Amorim’s comments on certain youngsters did not help either, and eventually, after an altercation with Jason Wilcox and some heated post-match comments, the ex-Sporting CP boss was let go.
Insiders are hopeful now that Darren Fletcher is in charge, things will be much different. The former United midfielder is also the U18s boss, and knows a lot about the academy.
CompetitionAppsGoalsAssistsYellowY-RRedMinutes
U18 Premier League131010001,089′
FA Youth Cup11189′
Total141111001,178′
25/26 season stats via Transfermarkt
And The Daily Mail have claimed that one of Carrington’s most highly-rated gems, JJ Gabriel, could be in line to feature against Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup on Sunday.
He is only 15, but already has 11 goals under his belt for Fletcher’s U18 side, and has been employed all across the frontline. And Amorim had even called him up for senior training on a number of occasions.
JJ Gabriel has a real opportunity
The England U16 international is ineligible to participate in the Premier League, but is free to appear in the FA Cup. He was among 10 academy stars who trained with the first team on Monday.
“Keep an eye on the situation around JJ Gabriel this week, with it understood that he will be in and around first-team training again.
“The 15-year-old, who interim boss Darren Fletcher knows very well having coached him in the Under 18s this season, is eligible to become United’s youngest ever player if he features against Brighton in the FA Cup on Sunday.
“Fletcher, aided by Travis Binnion and Alan Wright, took charge of a very young group on Monday, with Gabriel one of more than 10 academy players involved. Sources close to the group believe there is a chance Gabriel could be involved again before Brighton.
Youngest-ever debutant
“Premier League rules dictate that players who do not start the season aged 15 or above are ineligible to play in the competition – but the same does not apply to the FA Cup.
“Insiders at United are not ruling out an appearance against Brighton on Sunday for JJ Gabriel, who has been a revelation under Fletcher this season with the Under 18s.”
Fans flocked to Old Trafford for the FA Youth Cup clash against Peterborough United, where JJ Gabriel scored in front of the Stretford End.
He could be in for another special night on Sunday. Fans will be eagerly waiting.
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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