Man Utd youngster JJ Gabriel earned a slice of history when he started for the U18s in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday nightJJ GabrielJJ Gabriel scored in a 1-0 win for Man United’s U18s(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)

JJ Gabriel became the youngest player to represent Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday. The forward started against Peterborough and scored the match winner in a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.

Gabriel started aged 15 years, two months and three days, which meant he broke the record previously held by United academy graduate Omari Forson (15 years and four months).

The online records tracking United’s Youth Cup appearance makers began from the 2006/2007 season.

Gabriel recently trained with the first-team. It’s unusual for a player so young to be given the opportunity to train with the first team, but Gabriel is one of the most highly-rated talents to come through the academy.

Gabriel and his family were invited into the Old Trafford directors’ box for the opening game of the season against Arsenal, and United recently introduced the youngster to Amorim at Carrington.

Amorim was given a closer look at the youngster when he took part in training. “Like everyone, I know he is a really talented guy and everyone paid attention on social media,” said Amorim.

“You could see the Under-21s had a game and we had fewer players and tried to pick players for training that have talent, not just for me to see for tomorrow, but for them to feel what it means to be in the first team, the difficulties playing against our defenders, the difficulty of our training, the pace.

“If we can use every training we have to show the kids what they need to do to be here, it is important, not just for JJ but for everyone.”

In October, the Manchester Evening News provided insight into Gabriel’s rise in youth football.