Topics: Man Utd, Premier League
An impressed Bryan Mbuemo has shared his thoughts on highly-rated forward JJ Gabriel as the 15-year-old academy prospect continues to train with Manchester United's first team.
If you haven't heard of Gabriel, who has been dubbed the “next in line" to Cristiano Ronaldo’s throne by Nike, then let me give you a brief introduction.
Since becoming the youngest-ever player to play for Manchester United's under-18 team, when he featured against Leeds United in April last year, the talented forward has gone from strength to strength.
He was first introduced to a senior training session by Ruben Amorin in October, and the Portuguese manager was impressed. "Like everyone, I know he is a really talented guy," he said.
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This season, Gabriel has continued to shine at youth level, scoring 20 goals in 22 games for United's under-18s team this season – including nine goals in his last six games for Darren Fletcher's side.
As a result of his superb form, the youngster was once again included in a first-team training on Wednesday as Michael Carrick prepares for this weekend's Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
And it appears Gabriel made an impression. Speaking in an interview with Zack En Roue Libre, Bryan Mbuemo believes Gabriel has "something special" after training alongside the academy prospect.
"He’s strong, the little guy is strong," Mbuemo began. "Yeah, he’s strong, he’s really something, frankly. He’s really strong for, I don’t know how old he is, I think he’s 15?"
"You feel that he’s bound to be a little kid, but he trains quite a bit with us, and actually you see... you can feel that the little guy has something special.
"Of course, and you also see it when he plays, already he’s not even with the guys of his generation, and what he does... you feel it’s easy for him.
"He’s actually kind of a winger, he’s a dribbler and even in front of the box, I still think he’s good, honestly. Even when it’s one-on-one, often when you’re young, one-on-one in front of the goalkeeper, you stutter but I think he already has good blood."
Mbuemo added: "We saw him score some nice goals. He has a good shot. Technically, he’s strong."
In terms of his technical ability, Gabriel could walk into a Premier League team and be better "than all of them", according to his one-to-one coach, Alfie Brooks.
"I’ve coached nearly 1,000 academy players over my time - four of them in Josh Nichols (Arsenal), Josh Acheampong (Chelsea), Sydie Peck (Sheffield United) and Tyrique George (Chelsea) have made their senior debuts - and JJ is the best I’ve ever seen," Brooks told the Mail.
"He could go into a Premier League changing room right now and technically he would be better than all of them. It wouldn’t even be close."
