Manchester United currently finds itself far from its rightful position in the football hierarchy, and determining the path back to prominence presents a significant challenge.
The club’s financial situation is precarious, which suggests that Ruben Amorim may have limited resources available for investment this summer.
Having effectively utilized the Sporting academy prior to his tenure at United, Amorim may need to adopt a similar strategy at Old Trafford.
Chido Obi impressed Alan Shearer with his notable performance against Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
With the possibility of United prioritizing the development of young talents over substantial expenditures in the near future, players like Obi could become increasingly essential.
Manchester United talent attracting interest
Obi is just 17 years old, yet there is an even younger talent within the ranks of United who is garnering significant attention.
The individual in question is 14-year-old forward JJ Gabriel, the son of former Arsenal player Joe O’Cearuill.
Gabriel was elevated to training with the Under-18s at United in October, despite his young age.
Reports from January indicated that there was a strong possibility of Gabriel making his Under-18 debut this season, as he has impressed the coaching staff.
He has been referred to as a ‘mini Neymar,’ a label that places considerable pressure on a 14-year-old, yet it is evident that he is attracting substantial interest.
According to the Daily Mail, United is facing competition to retain Gabriel, with clubs across Europe monitoring his development.
Importantly, Gabriel possesses an Irish passport, allowing him the opportunity to join a club in the European Union before turning 16—an option not available to those with only an English passport.
Clubs such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Gabriel due to this unique circumstance, indicating that United may need to take significant measures to secure the young talent long before he is considered for the first team.
Dan Ashworth a fan of JJ Gabriel
The report highlights that Dan Ashworth was an enthusiastic supporter of Gabriel, having closely monitored his development at Old Trafford.
Ashworth’s tenure as United’s sporting director in 2024 was notably brief, spanning only a few months.
While sporting directors are often recognized for their expertise in transfers, they also play a significant role in the youth development aspect of the club.
Although Ashworth’s time at United was short-lived, Gabriel still managed to attract his attention.
With academy director Nick Cox reportedly overwhelmed with updates regarding Gabriel’s progress, this is one young talent that United hopes will evolve into a first-team player—provided he can be persuaded to disregard other offers and remain at Old Trafford.