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HomeSPORTMan United wonderkid dubbed 'Kid Messi' scores 22-minute hat-trick while playing above...

Man United wonderkid dubbed ‘Kid Messi’ scores 22-minute hat-trick while playing above his age group


JJ Gabriel underlined his burgeoning reputation on Saturday by scoring a first-half hat-trick for Manchester United‘s Under-18s — despite being only 14 years old.

The teenager, nicknamed ‘Kid Messi‘ after going viral as a futsal prodigy, struck in the fithth, 14th and 27th minutes of a 4-0 win away to Derby County.

Captain Amir Ibragimov, 17, added a fourth from the penalty spot in the second half as Darren Fletcher’s side cruised to another emphatic victory.

Gabriel’s treble showcased his versatility in front of goal: a right-footed finish to open the scoring, another driven effort after hitting the bar, and finally a composed left-footed strike on the break after good work from Samuel Lusale.

It continues a stunning start to the season for the schoolboy striker, who has now scored five times in his opening three U18 appearances. United’s youngsters have also kept four clean sheets in four games across league and cup.

Gabriel has been tipped as one of the most exciting prospects to emerge from Carrington in a long time.

JJ Gabriel scored a hat-trick for Man United's Under-18s side in a 4-0 win over Derby County

JJ Gabriel scored a hat-trick for Man United’s Under-18s side in a 4-0 win over Derby County

The 14-year-old's three first-half goals against Derby came within the space of 22 minutes

The 14-year-old’s three first-half goals against Derby came within the space of 22 minutes

Gabriel, dubbed 'Kid Messi', pictured being congratulated by one of his United team-mates

Gabriel, dubbed ‘Kid Messi’, pictured being congratulated by one of his United team-mates

Earlier this year, he became United’s youngest ever U18 debutant when he came off the bench to score twice in a record 13-1 thrashing of Leeds.

He has since been rewarded with an official squad number — 95, the highest in the club’s history — and a sponsorship deal with Nike.

United fans quickly took to social media after his latest heroics, with one writing: ‘JJ Gabriel has a hat-trick in 27 minutes for Manchester United Under 18’s against Derby. He is 14 years old. Protect him at all costs.’

Another added: ‘Chelsea took our egotistic Garnacho away, but La Carrington is cooking another starboy, his name is JJ Gabriel, bagged a hat-trick today. He’s just 14!’ 

Although he is ineligible for this season’s FA Youth Cup due to age restrictions, Gabriel is expected to continue training periodically with Ruben Amorim’s first team as part of his accelerated development.

The son of former Republic of Ireland international Joe O’Cearuill, he has already attracted interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, though United hope his pathway to senior football will keep him in Manchester.

Gabriel’s rise has been carefully managed, with United keen to avoid overhyping him publicly. But Saturday’s devastating treble was another reminder of why the Old Trafford academy believe they are nurturing a generational talent.



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