Man Utd agrees new deal with ‘Kid Messi’ owing to one intervention
Manchester United may have just secured their most important signing of the summer ā and it’s not a big-name striker.
Itās 14-year-old JJ Gabriel, the teenager already turning heads at Carrington. Known in academy circles as āKid Messi,ā Gabriel has agreed to stay at the club after weeks of uncertainty.
The young forward looked likely to leave this summer amid strong interest from top clubs across Europe.
Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid were all in the race. But in the end, one key figure helped United win this off-field battle ā Jason Wilcox.
Wilcox, the clubās new sporting director, stepped in to keep Gabriel at Old Trafford. His timely involvement proved crucial, according to reports, via Fabrizio Romano.
šØš More on JJ Gabriel and Manchester United. The agreement to sign new deal for the young talent is set to be sealed, all completed.
The contract will be valid for the next two years, after key intervention by Jason Wilcox to avoid losing one of best and most wanted talents. pic.twitter.com/qkdjFiPVFz
ā Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 30, 2025A new deal has now been agreed, keeping the teen sensation at United for the next two years.
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Who is Man Utd teenager JJ Gabriel?JJ Gabriel isnāt your average 14-year-old. The England U15 international already made headlines when he scored twice on his debut for Unitedās U18 side ā yes, against players nearly four years older.
Heās known for his clever dribbling, quick feet, and smart movement. And with the nickname āKid Messiā floating around, you know this isnāt just any academy talent.
Gabriel can play out wide or through the middle, giving coaches plenty of options. Those whoāve seen him play say heās the real deal ā though itās still early days.
As one of the most talked-about youngsters in England, keeping him at the club is seen as a big win for Unitedās youth project.
While the player canāt sign a pro contract until heās 17, this new deal gives United some breathing space. Heāll likely become a regular in the U18s next season and might even get a pre-season run with the older group in a yearās time.
Gabrielās journey is just beginning, but Unitedās timely action shows theyāre thinking ahead. For a club trying to rebuild both on and off the pitch, this might just be their sharpest move yet.
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Vishal Bhawani
Vishal Bhawani is a sub-editor for the Affiliate Content team and a writer and sub-editor for the Football Wires team at The Sporting News. Based in Indore, India, he holds a Diploma in Operations and Management from Maharashtra University.
Before joining TSN in May 2024, Vishal contributed to Football Express and Six Sports and ran his own blog, Anfield Home, as a passionate Liverpool fan. An avid traveler, he follows multiple sports, including cricket, soccer, and tennis.
