Man United Norway tour highlights 15‑year‑old JJ Gabriel

Manchester United released fresh training photographs on Tuesday, ahead of the Friday pre‑season fixture against Norwegian side Rosenborg. The images capture 15‑year‑old forward JJ Gabriel training alongside teammates Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven at the club’s Manchester base.

Head coach Michael Carrick took a 25‑man squad to Helsinki, where United suffered a 1‑0 defeat at the hands of Wrexham on Saturday. The loss has added urgency to the upcoming preparations.

Gabriel, an England youth international, was expected to gain first‑team exposure after last season. At 15, he is already being integrated with senior‑level training.

He began the campaign at just 14 and earned both the Premier Under‑18 League player of the year award and United’s club under‑18 player of the year honour. These accolades underline his rapid development.

During that season Gabriel netted 26 goals, helping United reach the FA Youth Cup final and the Premier League Under‑18 Cup final. His scoring record was a key factor in those runs.

It remains unclear whether Gabriel will travel with Carrick’s squad for the upcoming Trondheim trip, and new signing Tynan Thompson may also be included, as World Cup‑eligible players are still unavailable. The squad composition for the Norway leg is therefore still being finalised.

United’s pre‑season preparations aim to rebound from the Wrexham loss, with the Friday clash against Rosenborg seen as a key test for the side. The match offers a chance to assess the impact of younger players.

Getty Images supplied the training pictures, which show the squad in high spirits as they ready themselves for the match. The upbeat atmosphere reflects Carrick’s intent to rebuild momentum.

With the World Cup contingent still missing, Carrick is expected to rely on younger players as the team heads to Trondheim to build momentum for the new season. The focus on youth signals a strategic shift in the club’s pre‑season approach.