Man Utd wonderkid JJ Gabriel responds after Arsenal fan tells him Max Dowman is better

Manchester United's JJ Gabriel gave a mature response to an Arsenal fan who claimed Max Dowman is better than him.

Gabriel, 15, has been part of United's pre-season campaign this summer amid the absence of key players due to the World Cup.

The forward, who has rapidly risen through United's academy ranks, made his first team debut for the club in the 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid as an 82nd-minute substitute.

He was named as the U18 Premier League Player of the Season last term, having netted 23 goals including two hat-tricks.

Because of his young age, he cannot yet sign a professional contract with United, but can do so once he turns 17 as per the FA's rules.

He was unable to play in the Premier League last season, with rules stipulating that a player has to turn 15 by August 31. Gabriel's birthday is in October.

READ MORE: Why Man Utd wonderkid JJ Gabriel isn't allowed to wear the same training shirt as his team-mates

The same rule is why Dowman was able to appear for Arsenal last season, as he was born in December 2009, though he didn't make his Premier League debut until March - by which point he had turned 16.

His first competitive appearance for the Gunners, though, did arrive when he was 15 years and 302 days old, as he started an EFL Cup tie against Brighton and Hove Albion.

In a clip posted on TikTok, Gabriel is seen to be smiling as he poses for a photo with an Arsenal fan, who then quips: "Max Dowman's better than you, bro."

The United winger's demeanour appears to quickly change after the comment, but he still bumped fists with the fan before walking away.

And the 15-year-old has been universally praised by fans of both United and Arsenal for how he reacted.

It is likely not the first time Gabriel has encountered the comparison and, in today's age of social media, it probably won't be the last - but he is clearly keen to avoid them.

'It's great for us' - Michael Carrick praises JJ Gabriel

United head coach Michael Carrick spoke positively about the impact of Gabriel and fellow youngster Jim Thwaites during pre-season, with both players getting their opportunities to briefly impress.

"Again, some the young players coming on and having an impact, and Jimmy and JJ coming on at the end, they are two younger players, again, their first kind of taste for it for us.

"So it's great for us to be in a position for me to give them opportunities to the boys. And then on top of that, touch wood, no injuries.

"You know, it's always getting the balance of, how much do we push the players and how much do we save? At the moment, the boys are in a really good place."