Michael Carrick is about to get his first real look at his squad as Manchester United’s head coach, and the list of players heading back to Carrington this week has one name fans are buzzing about more than any other.
JJ Gabriel is 15 years old. He’s on the list of 16 youngsters expected to join the senior squad when preseason kicks off Thursday. And yeah, that’s rare even for a club that has never been shy about promoting from within.
The World Cup vacuum creates an early opportunity
Right now, United still has five players active at the World Cup — Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui and Senne Lammens are still in the tournament. That means a lot of first-team faces won’t be in Manchester for at least another week or two.
But plenty of others are coming back early. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw didn’t make Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, so they’ll be at Carrington from day one. Same for Mason Mount, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, none of whom got national team call-ups. Patrick Dorgu, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo are all back too since their countries didn’t qualify for the World Cup.
So the senior group won’t be empty. But with so many starters still away, Carrick is going to lean heavily on the kids during those first few training sessions and the early friendlies, starting with the Wrexham match in 11 days.
Who else might get a runout
The Manchester Evening News reported that young striker Chido Obi and winger Shea Lacey are in line for serious minutes. Lacey has been training regularly with the first team already, so that one feels like a given.
Midfield is thin right now, which opens the door for Jack Fletcher, Jack Moorhouse and Jim Thwaites. Toby Collyer is also expected to participate, though the word is he’s likely headed out on another loan later this summer.
Defensively, keep an eye on Harry Amass and Diego Leon. Both are young, both have fans inside the club, and both should get plenty of reps this preseason. Jacob Devaney and Radek Vitek are also on the list of prospects Carrick wants to evaluate closely.
Sekou Kone is technically listed but the expectation is he’ll stay on loan at FC Lausanne-Sport for another season.
The full preseason roster (so far)
Here’s everyone expected back at Carrington this week:
Goalkeepers: Tom Heaton, Dermot Mee, Radek Vitek, Elyh Harrison
Defenders: Jaydan Kamason, Habeeb Ogunneye, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Tyler Fredricson, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw, Harry Amass, Diego Leon
Midfielders: Dan Gore, Jacob Devaney, Jack Fletcher, Toby Collyer, Mason Mount
Forwards: Bryan Mbeumo, Shea Lacey, Joshua Zirkzee, Chido Obi, JJ Gabriel, Ethan Wheatley, Benjamin Sesko
Gabriel is the headliner here, no question. A 15-year-old getting called into any Premier League preseason is unusual. At Manchester United, it’s a statement. The club clearly thinks he’s special. Whether he actually sees the field in a competitive match this season is another question entirely. But for now, he’s got everyone’s attention.
Preseason starts Thursday. The Wrexham friendly is 11 days out. And a kid who can’t even drive yet might be the most interesting player on the pitch.
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