Man Utd thrash Liverpool 7-0 as ‘next Neymar’ wonderkid scores hat-trick for Under-18s

JJ Gabriel was in scintillating form for Manchester United’s Under-18s side as the Red Devils thrashed Liverpool 7-0, with the teen sensation surely soon to knock on Ruben Amorim’s door

JJ Gabriel’s star continues to rise as the Manchester United prodigy scored an impressive hat-trick in a 7-0 Under-18 thrashing of Liverpool.

The 15-year-old has been nicknamed the ‘next Neymar’ due to his self-proclaimed admiration for the Brazil legend and similarities to the former Barcelona superstar, with suggestions he could be the most promising talent United’s academy has ever nurtured. Coaches have been wowed by his progress despite him playing several years above his age group and he already boasts more than 225,000 followers on Instagram and a sponsorship deal with Nike.

Fans have also branded him “Kid Messi” on account of his prodigious talents. And on Saturday he backed that up when he netted two solo goals in the first half and added a third after the interval as United dominated. Bendito Mantato kicked off the scoring with a powerful finish, before Gabriel took the spotlight.

His first goal was a brilliant display of skill, as he weaved through the defence before slotting home. His second was equally impressive, a strong shot into the top of the net to make it three.

Louie Bradbury, back from injury, scored the fourth, while Jim Thwaites converted a penalty for the fifth. A shellshocked Liverpool could only watch as Samuel Lusale added a sixth, before Gabriel rounded off his superb performance with his third goal and United’s seventh.

Gabriel has been training with the first team under Ruben Amorim in recent weeks and is one of the most highly rated talents to emerge from the academy. The young player and his family were invited to the Old Trafford directors’ box for the season opener against Arsenal, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Gabriel has had discussions with Amorim, with the United manager outlining his philosophy and emphasising the importance of hard work. Omar Berrada (CEO) and Jason Wilcox (director of football) were involved in talks to retain Gabriel over the summer, leading fans to speculate about when he might make his senior debut.

The 15-year-old could potentially become United’s youngest-ever Premier League player. Angel Gomes (16 years, 263 days), Shola Shoretire (17 years, 19 days) and Chido Obi (17 years, 79 days) currently hold the record as the youngest players to have made an appearance for United in the Premier League.

Gabriel has the potential to shatter that record, and he might even surpass the Premier League record held by Ethan Nwaneri (15 years, 181 days). Max Dowman (15 years, 235 days) is the second youngest.