Man Utd wonderkid JJ Gabriel shines on Old Trafford debut setting new club record, while Kai Rooney misses out in FA Youth Cup tie
Manchester United's 15-year-old talent JJ Gabriel made headlines with his winning goal at Old Trafford, breaking a club record. Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney's son Kai was absent from the squad for the Youth Cup tie. Learn more about Gabriel's remarkable journey and potential in this detailed blog post.

Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel marked his Old Trafford debut by setting a new club record after scoring the winner in an FA Youth Cup tie against Peterborough on Tuesday night. The 15-year-old has been linked with Barcelona and Arsenal and nicknamed 'Kid Messi', with many believing he has incredible potential. Meanwhile, Kai Rooney, son of legendary England striker Wayne, was left out of the squad for the third-round clash.Much is expected of Gabriel, even after only just turning 15 years of age, and the teenager wasted little time making his presence known on his first competitive appearance at United's Old Trafford home. Gabriel netted the only goal of the game in the 22nd minute with a lovely sweeping finish into the far corner, earning Darren Fletcher's side a fourth-round tie against Cambridge United or Derby County, with those two teams set to meet on Wednesday. That goal saw the hyped youngster become United's youngest-ever scorer in FA Youth Cup history and also took him to 11 strikes in 12 games this season, having recently scored a hat-trick against Liverpool's Under-18s.United have produced plenty of stars through their academy during the club's glittering history and Gabriel is thought to be one who could go on to become a genuinely world-class player in the future. He has received rather flattering comparisons to Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo and attracted more praise back in August when he scored an outrageously impressive goal for United's Under-18s.His performances have caught the eye of many teams around Europe. Barcelona are thought to be keeping track of his situation as they look to find the next Lamine Yamal, while Arsenal have also been credited with an interest. However, the Gunners' admiration of Gabriel has been labelled 'premature' in recent weeks, with the current Premier League leaders not thought to have made a formal offer as of yet.That is good news for United, who seem to be doing everything they can to keep hold of the prodigious youngster. The Red Devils are said to have even gone as far as offering Gabriel a box at the new Old Trafford stadium, which is due to be completed by 2030. He may well hope to be making his mark in the first-team squad by that point, but United's current senior stars are already familiar with the teenager's talents as he's previously been invited to train with Ruben Amorim's cohorts during the early stages of the season.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!While it was all smiles for Gabriel, Kai Rooney, the son of United legend Wayne, was not included in the squad for the win over Peterborough. The teenager has been recovering from injury in recent weeks and made his return for the club's Under-16s over the weekend. Jacey Carrick, son of ex-United and England midfielder Michael, was also absent from the matchday squad.Gabriel will continue playing youth football for United for now, with the hope of breaking into the first-team squad and making his senior debut in the future. He will, however, have to be wary of the treatment some of United's recent academy graduates have received of late.Marcus Rashford doesn't seem to have much of a future at Old Trafford after being sent on loan to both Aston Villa and Barcelona in the last year, while the curious case of Kobbie Mainoo remains puzzling to many football fans across Europe. The 20-year-old broke into the squad under former boss Erik ten Hag and scored a memorable goal against local rivals Manchester City in the 2024 FA Cup final, but he has not made a single start in the Premier League this season.One youngster who has been getting first-team minutes under Amorim is Ayden Heaven, who has started the Red Devils' last two Premier League matches. He was unconvincing against West Ham United, being hauled off after 45 minutes, but produced a more accomplished performance in the 4-1 thumping of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday night.
JJ Gabriel Makes History
Manchester United's rising star, JJ Gabriel, lived up to his 'Kid Messi' nickname with a stunning performance on his Old Trafford debut. Scoring the decisive goal against Peterborough in the FA Youth Cup, the 15-year-old not only secured a victory but also set a new club record as the youngest-ever scorer in the competition's history.
Potential and Comparisons
Gabriel's exceptional talent has drawn comparisons to football icons like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Cristiano Ronaldo. With 11 goals in 12 games this season, including a memorable hat-trick against Liverpool's Under-18s, the wonderkid has been catching the eye of top European clubs like Barcelona and Arsenal.
Interest from European Giants
Barcelona and Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Gabriel's progress closely, with the Catalan club seeing him as a potential successor to Lamine Yamal. Despite early interest from Arsenal, no formal offers have been made yet, giving Manchester United hope of retaining their prized talent.
United's Commitment to Gabriel
Manchester United is eager to keep Gabriel at the club's academy, even offering him a box at the new Old Trafford stadium set to be completed by 2030. With eyes on a future first-team role, Gabriel has already trained with the senior squad, impressing the likes of Ruben Amorim.
Kai Rooney's Absence
Wayne Rooney's son, Kai, was notably absent from the Youth Cup tie, as he continues his recovery from injury with the Under-16s. The Rooney family legacy remains strong at United, but all eyes are currently on JJ Gabriel and his potential journey to the top.
Future Prospects
While Gabriel aims to make his mark in the senior team in the coming years, recent academy graduates like Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo face uncertain futures at Old Trafford. With talents like Ayden Heaven also emerging in the first team, Gabriel will hope to follow a successful path to stardom.


