JJ Gabriel impressed as Manchester United’s Under-18s beat Man City 3-1 in the derby, while Michael Carrick watched from the sidelines as his son Jacey and Kai Rooney suffered a 4-2 U16s defeat on the adjacent pitch
Michael Carrick missed JJ Gabriel’s performance(Image: Ian Kington/AFP via Getty Images)
JJ Gabriel delivered another standout performance as the Manchester United youngster excelled for the Under-18s against Man City, whilst Kai Rooney tasted defeat for the Under-16s on the adjacent pitch. Michael Carrick was present but would’ve missed Gabriel’s masterclass after watching son Jacey in action for the Under-16s.
Whilst Carrick’s son Jacey endured defeat in the Under-16s derby alongside Rooney, 15-year-old Gabriel helped Darren Fletcher’s Under-18s close the gap on City in Premier League 2.
After a tightly fought first half, Gabriel broke the deadlock in the 58th minute with a composed finish into the bottom left. There’s considerable excitement at Old Trafford surrounding the forward, whose dad is former Republic of Ireland international Joe O’Cearuill, and his display on Saturday will undoubtedly fuel further speculation.
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Former Arsenal youth Chido Obi, who got a taste of first-team action last season, also caught the eye as United beat their rivals. The promising striker found the net as United emerged 3-1 victors and combined brilliantly with Gabriel, teeing up his opener in the 66th minute before extending United’s advantage with just six minutes left.
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Fletcher’s side had thrown away a two-goal lead at half-time to suffer a 4-2 defeat in the earlier encounter back in September, but fully deserved their victory on Saturday morning as Jim Thwaites sealed the result after City’s Tyrone Samba had pulled one back in the 86th minute.
United’s youngsters narrowed the deficit to just one point behind league leaders City thanks to the win, although their rivals have three games in hand after competing in the Youth League across Europe.
Man Utd starlet JJ Gabriel has been in excellent form(Image: Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Carrick, who was observing the match on the neighbouring pitch, will undoubtedly get feedback from Fletcher regarding Gabriel and his teammates’ display. The 15-year-old can’t yet make his first-team debut due to Premier League regulations requiring players to have turned 15 by the beginning of the 2025/26 season to qualify, but United believe the talented academy youngster can become a major star in the future.
The United caretaker boss has already invited him to first-team training sessions. Ruben Amorim had similarly done so during his spell in charge. Meanwhile, Carrick’s son Jacey, 15, and Rooney Jr, 16, endured a tougher afternoon as they played in the U16s’ 4-2 defeat on the adjoining pitch.
The fixture took a dramatic twist late on when the referee issued two red cards – one each – after a late altercation that left City’s Alfie Turley with a bloodied nose. While the focus stayed primarily on the U18s’ clash, a sudden burst of whistles directed attention towards Turley, who walked towards the touchline with blood streaming down his face before being sent off.
Silva Mexes grabbed a brace to keep United in the contest, though his contribution was eclipsed by Scottish youngster Caelen Cadamarteri, who claimed a hat-trick alongside Sami Ominyi’s goal for City.
After the final whistle, first-team manager Carrick focused on the closing moments of the U18s’ fixture before stopping to pose for pictures with supporters.
The 44-year-old then walked across the pitch to congratulate former interim boss Fletcher on clinching the derby triumph.
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