JJ Gabriel, 15, makes first Manchester United senior squad for Rosenborg friendly

A 15-year-old forward who does not turn 16 until October has been named in Manchester United's senior squad for the first time, as Michael Carrick's side prepare to face Rosenborg in Trondheim on Friday. JJ Gabriel, who scored 29 goals in 32 appearances for the club's Under-18s last season, is the only change to the squad that lost 1-0 to Wrexham in Finland last week, with striker Ethan Wheatley dropping out. Gabriel won both the Premier League and United's Under-18 awards last season despite being only 14 when the campaign began. He first came to wider attention in April 2025 when he scored twice in a 25-minute cameo on his U18 debut in a 13-1 win over Leeds. Director of football Jason Wilcox was personally involved in persuading Gabriel to remain at United last summer, part of a concerted effort to bring promising young talents to Old Trafford. The Londoner has since been a regular in first-team training under Ruben Amorim after an initial call-up. If Gabriel features against the Norwegian side, it will be the latest milestone in a rapid rise through the club's youth system. The travelling party also includes several other academy prospects, with no place for 18-year-old Tynan Thompson, who joined from Tottenham in an £8m deal. Benjamin Sesko, goalkeeper Karl Darlow and defender Matthijs de Ligt are all ruled out due to injury. Gabriel's call-up is the culmination of a prolific season that saw him help United reach the FA Youth Cup and Premier League Under-18 cup finals.