Darren Fletcher hails 15-year-old Man Utd wonderkid as ‘amazing talent’ | Football

Manchester United’s JJ Gabriel has won the Premier League Under-18s Player of the Season award and Darren Fletcher says the club as an ‘amazing talent’ in its ranks.

The forward is just 15 years old but has shone against older players in the age bracket, scoring his 21st league goal of the season at the weekend.

Gabriel will be involved on Thursday as United take on Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup final.

The London-born teenager has been capped up to Under-17 level by England and the BBC suggests he will be involved in the Red Devils’ first team pre-season preparations this summer.

Under-18s boss Fletcher is keen to keep expectations under control, but cannot deny that the 15-year-old is a standout performer among the country’s brightest young stars.

‘JJ’s an amazing talent,’ Fletcher told the BBC.

‘He is a fantastic kid. He brings an enthusiasm to the pitch every day to learn, to want to play, to be on the ball. He’s desperate to do better, to improve and to learn. He takes constructive criticism well and I’ve got a great relationship with him.

‘I do think we need to remember he is a kid and also he’s been part of a really good team, and the players have helped him as well.

‘But JJ has scored the goals and goals always get the limelight. He has a major future and is somebody I’ve enjoyed working with immensely.

‘His next steps are something people above me will decide. We want him to go up there and thrive, so we need to get him in the position to do that.’

Reacting to winning the Under-18s Player of the Season award, Gabriel told MUTV: ‘I’m delighted to win this award. I thank my coaches and team-mates for helping me win this amazing award.

‘Since we came together as the Under-18s, we’ve become a very good team. Everyone looks out for each other and we all work hard for each other. I think we’ve had a very good season.’

He added: ‘I’d say [the Academy] helped me mature a lot. They help me to be very humble and keep my feet on the ground.

‘I’m delighted to be working with him [Fletcher], he’s an amazing coach and has helped me so much this season to become a better player and the best version of myself. I’ve got to say you’ve got to maintain working out on the training pitch every single day, giving it my all and working hard in the gym to stay fit and not get injured.

‘My family have helped me a lot, through tough times and good times. They come to all my matches, no matter how far or close, and I love them to bits.’

Gabriel’s father, Joe O’Cearuill, is a two-cap Republic of Ireland international and was once on the books of Arsenal, turning out for Brighton, Barnet and Forest Green Rovers, among others, over his career.

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