04 Apr 2025 20:35:10
For anyone who is interested, JJ Gabriel is supposedly playing for the u18s tomorrow.
If it's on MUTV, and he is playing it's worth tuning in. Big things expected of him.
04 Apr 2025 22:35:01
Yes Caolan, am aware game is on MUTV and am very much looking forward to watching it. As you say JJ Gabriel is massively rated within the club and he is very, very skilful.
He is only 14 and his nickname is ''Kid Messi'' He also has a very lucrative deal with Nike, supposedly one of the most lucrative contracts ever handed out to a player of his age. I don't know if that is good or absolutely shocking!
Clearly a very, very long way to go for the lad. Really hope he has the right stuff between his ears, as that will determine his future more than anything.
Some time back I posted a profile on Amir Ibragimov, a player I think has what is needed to go all the way, he has a very strong mentality and is a very good player, likened by some to a young Rooney. He turned 17 a couple of days back and yesterday signed his first professional contract, excellent news!
Another of our highly rated youngsters is Bendito Mantato and it is expected he will also be signing his first professional contract in the next few days.
Things certainly seem to be going well on the Academy side of the club, I really think it would be wonderful if about the time we are moving into a state of the art 100,000 seater stadium 4 or 5 lads are becoming the backbone of a trophy winning, successful side.
Why not dream?
In the meantime am looking forward to game tomorrow.
05 Apr 2025 08:35:47
I did a big post on here about JJ Gabriel a few weeks ago, look forward to seeing him play.
05 Apr 2025 08:55:46
I don't subscribe to MUTV, but it's heartening to hear good news about the academy.
05 Apr 2025 10:11:38
IWOTB
To add I watched the U18 semi and briefly saw Amir Ibragimov, confident, perhaps over confident when he stepped up to his penalty. Brief look but he looked bright, I need to see more. Bendito Mantato looked good, nice balance and could run with the ball at pace, something we need.
T Fletcher looked good and controlled the game whilst on, Scanlon stood out and a lad at the back Munro looked the part.
Lot of good lads, two or three potential first teamers, but I didn’t see a world beater.
05 Apr 2025 12:48:18
Well, it's half time in the game against Leeds and the score is 9-0. Yes NINE nil. Ibragimov, along with a few others, has been outstanding he won a penalty after 80 seconds and has been integral to everything.
Victor Musa (the centre forward) has scored 6 and Jim Thwaite has scored 3, one of which was an superb free kick.
Redman, not sure you can make such a judgement on Ibragimov based on, as you say, a brief view of him. I don't think anybody would accuse him of being over confident.
Second half just started it's now 10-0.
05 Apr 2025 14:09:51
I would suggest that however it's decided which division youth teams go into it needs to be addressed. 9-0 at half time can't be doing much for the opposing youngsters lol.
05 Apr 2025 14:49:38
Quite right spenno, you feel so sorry for Leeds!
Match ended 13-1. You do not see performances like that all the time, first half was outstanding.
05 Apr 2025 15:59:57
IWOTB
No judgement on Ibragimov just an observation that stepping up to take his penalty he smiled at the keeper then it was saved. Didn’t see enough to make any judgement on him.
How was J J Gabriel today?
05 Apr 2025 16:28:54
Feel sorry for Leeds? Give your head a wobble. LOL.
05 Apr 2025 16:55:09
Red Man,
Gabriel scored 2, crazy for a 14 year old, the youngest player to play for our under 18s and didn’t look out of place, what a future we are looking at if we can keep some of these youngsters.
05 Apr 2025 19:09:51
Thanks GDS
Saw he scored a couple. Ever since I was at OT for Cristiano debut I have hoped for someone to take the breath away. Premier teams are a bunch of robots at times, so would hope a Gabriel can really excite.
05 Apr 2025 21:17:19
Read that JJ Gabriel will be leaving possibly to Barcelona. Hope he doesn't as he's got some mad talent.
05 Apr 2025 21:59:49
Lad looks class. I heard he's got a massive contact with nike already and he's only a baby really. Him and his family are close friends with ronaldo and his boy so hopefully he puts a good word in his ear and tell him to stay put where he is.
06 Apr 2025 13:09:56
Unruly,
There are lots of rumours about clubs being after him which is why we are trying to show him his future should be with us and we can give him what he wants. I’m guessing you haven’t read that he’s going to Barcelona as that’s not true but he is linked with lots of other clubs because of his talent.
06 Apr 2025 14:53:48
GDS2, what I read, which is quite possibly just made up nonsense, is that the player and/ or his family prefer to move to Barcelona. And this was 3 or so months ago so probably not true.
06 Apr 2025 18:30:27
It’s a big jump between academy football and men’s football, we have seen too many promising players fall by the wayside over the last few years. If we get one or two coming through that would be a success.
07 Apr 2025 13:14:09
Unruly he signed a deal with United to pay his schooling up to 16 when he is eligible I believe for the proper Academy Scholarship.
The Barcelona stuff was a tour organised by Nike as part of the sales pitch for his contract that was alluded too above.
I don’t think United would be putting the time into his development, playing him 4 years up if they weren’t keeping him.