If this is what the players camp wants then he'll either sink or swim. They will know the risks and they still obviously fancy him to be able to thrive in the senior game and want to get as much experience and exposure as quickly as possible. You can't knock the ambitition to be fair. I'm sure his whole family and entourage has been totally geared up around this for the last 10 years so they'll want that pro money asap. It's mad really but he is very good and he holds quite a lot of leverage with youth contracts being as they are. If he's good enough and he's being professional what more can he do really?
JJ Gabriel
- Thread starter top1whoisman
- Start date
he's certainly a talent we can't let get away from the club so give him the chance to prove his ability against first team players
He could have done a giggs. If he turns out half as successful as giggs he'll be some player
Let's hope his family keep his feet on the ground. At his age he doesn't need this sort of unnecessary pressure
Why are these stories getting pushed all of a sudden? “Look at this good player, he’s 15 so he didn’t have to stay here”
Sounds to me like someone is pushing for something
Sounds to me like someone is pushing for something
Agent giving notice to club "play me or lose me next season"?
I do wonder if the agent is pushing already
At the same time he’s only 15 so he can’t be on a professional contract yet
I thought he's not allowed to play in the PL due to his age?
Not till next season
Yeah, then any push from his agent about playing time does not make any sense.
I have no doubt he'll get a chance to feature next season - he's already training with the seniors and at this point in time I don't think there's any more we can do as a signal of intent with this boy.
How does one watch the FA Youth Cup game today. MUTV is doing radio commentary only it seems.
Thanks.
It's also on TNT Sports 2.
JJ is completely anonymous
First positive move of Obi and more or less first involvement of JJ. Great goal
And they immediately equalise. Silly mistake by Byrne-Hughs
Brilliant pass by Overy to Obi (not for the first time), Obi rounds the keeper and 2-1
Been training with the first team today it looks like. Going to be so interesting how we manage his development next season. Hopefully steps up to the 21s and gets the odd sub appearance if we go further in the cups than this year. Ready to be a part of the squad the season after
What's the earliest he could legally play for the first team and would he beat the 'youngest ever' record? Based on nothing, it seems the sort of thing his camp would be pushing for.
He can play from the start of next season.
Would be in United's interest to play him in league cup games and fa cup, as the hype around him will a) satisfy the family knowing he is getting exposure and b) would be good for the United brand too for a commercial perspective. I think the former is most important, if he's as good as they say he is then they will be pushing for first team apps next season and if we don't give him that they could easily take his talent elsewhere.
He could be our youngest player if he plays in any competition before late October.
He won't be the Premier League's youngest player.
I imagine we will try and give him a few minutes as a sub to break this record in the early part of the season.
I watched him closely during the League Cup final.
I don’t think he’s anywhere near ready.
Yes, it was just one game - so it’s clearly not a definitive opinion.
He’s talented, but needs more time.
I don’t think he’s anywhere near ready.
Yes, it was just one game - so it’s clearly not a definitive opinion.
He’s talented, but needs more time.
His levels have dropped in the last couple of weeks because of end of the season fatigue. I don't think we lose that match with a mid-season form JJ.
I agree with you though that he needs more time. I don't think his body is ready for the men's game.
I agree. He’s played A LOT of football for a 14/15 year old this season. Playing against much older kids, some of whom are more like men. I suspect his minutes will be carefully managed now for the last few games so he is fresh for the final
100% he'll get minutes as the hype is too large around him not to. Like you say he'll be taken elsewhere if not that will give him the minutes. But his form has definitely dropped the last month or 2, and that's only playing up 3 or so years (obviously still a massive deal). Playing against fully grown men is going to be even tougher on his body, so it's likely going to have to be really carefully managed.
My guess would be that we're praying for an easy start in the league cup where he can be brought off the bench with the game won, although that didn't go too well this season
we'll undoubtedly see him on tour as well so be good to see how he fits in thenIs he even allowed on tour? He’s not even 16.
Why would he not be allowed? Schools and academies go on football tours abroad all the time when they reach YDP ages, it won't be anything new to him.
They don’t share hotel rooms/dressing rooms with adults they’re not related to though. Similar rationale for kids needing to be 16 to play senior football.
But I’m sure United have welfare officers for the kids who can find a way to make a tour work.
Well yeah of course, if you are taking the kid on tour its not a stretch to put him up with:
A) A family member
B) His own room, I think Jim can afford it.
I know the club takes a kicking off the pitch sometimes; but it does have intelligent people working in its day-to-day operations.
Just seemed a weird question
Well yeah of course, if you are taking the kid on tour its not a stretch to put him up with:
A) A family member
B) His own room, I think Jim can afford it.
I know the club takes a kicking off the pitch sometimes; but it does have intelligent people working in its day-to-day operations.
Just seemed a weird question
Seeing as he’s not allowed to senior football until he turns 16 in England it’s not that weird to wonder if the same applies to matches on tour?
He's allowed to play in friendlies, isn't he?
Given the history of posts in this thread and on this site general, nothing should surprise me, yet here we are I guess
.We know he would be able to play FA Cup but not Premier League this year so that obviously points to the fact there are different rules for different comps, particularly in meaningless pre-season friendlies it stands to reason, in my mind at least, that the rules would not be as stringent, even beyond that, Pre-Season is the defact start and the "old season" will have ended administratively long before it starts.
Maybe weird is the wrong word, just seems like a logical through-line.
He's not allowed until the season where he turns 16.
Given the history of posts in this thread and on this site general, nothing should surprise me, yet here we are I guess
Given we knew he would be able to play FA Cup but not Premier League obviously points to the fact there are different rules, particularly in meaningless pre-season friendlies it stands to reason, in my mind at least, that the rules would not be as stringent, eve beyond that, Pre-Season is the defact start and the "old season" will have ended administratively long before it starts.
Maybe weird is the wrong word, just seems like a logical through-line.
Ah, ok. I didn’t know that. I assumed it was some sort of rule across English football.
In Ireland we have different rules for different sports. In GAA kids need to be 17 to play with the seniors.
Ah. Another fact I didn’t know until now. Every day’s a school day!
Was also eligible to play in the FA Cup this season, if i remember correctly.
Its just Premier League rules, I think