Gabriel is among the most talked-about prospects in England’s academy scene, and director of football Jason Wilcox personally helped convince him to stay at United last summer.
That decision aligns with a wider drive to bring elite youngsters to Old Trafford, a strategy also reflected by Thompson’s move from Tottenham.
He first drew attention beyond United circles in April 2025.
On that day, striker Victor Musa hit six as United thrashed Leeds 13-1 in a one-sided Under-18 Premier League game.
Yet the headline wasn’t the scoreline or Musa’s double hat-trick, but a 25-minute debut cameo from Gabriel—then only 14 and a half.
His speed, balance and close control stood out immediately, and he underlined his threat by scoring twice.
He backed that up last season, leading the scoring race for much of the campaign before Manchester City forward Teddie Lamb edged past him in the final matches.
Gabriel finished with 29 goals in 32 appearances, spearheading the Red Devils’ runs to the FA Youth Cup and Premier League Under-18 Cup finals.
Ruben Amorim first drafted him into senior training, and he has been a regular since, with Carrick closely monitoring the academy sides.
He missed last week’s defeat to Wrexham in Helsinki after only just returning to training, but United are taking a measured approach with a prodigious talent.
Last season he was invited to the directors’ box several times and met Sir Alex Ferguson after December’s draw with West Ham at Old Trafford.
Such access is rare, underscoring how highly the club rates him.
For context, Gabriel is about to begin his GCSE year. He played—and scored—in the FA Youth Cup last season at a younger age than club greats linked to Manchester United such as Duncan Edwards, Eddie Colman of the Busby Babes, and Ryan Giggs.
Of course, there is no shortage of gifted youngsters—Arsenal’s Max Dowman is a current example—and not all go on to realize their potential.
One further positive with Gabriel is his physical profile.
He has made a big impact despite a slight build. To keep him away from stronger full-backs last season, United’s coaches moved him inside from his preferred role cutting in off the left.
There was an expectation he would fill out over the summer, and his social media suggests he has been working on exactly that.
Given United’s commitment to investing in youth, it would make little sense to hold back a standout in-house prospect, so his inclusion on this trip is logical.
If he features in Norway, Gabriel would be among the youngest to appear in a senior match. The youngest to play a competitive game for United remains goalkeeper David Gaskell at 16 years and 19 days; Gabriel does not turn 16 until 6 October.
Not everyone in Carrick’s squad is certain to get minutes.
United took 25 players to Helsinki for the Wrexham game, and even with different XIs in each half, goalkeeper Dermot Mee, midfielder Jim Thwaites and striker Chido Obi did not play.
If Gabriel does get on the pitch, it will give United’s staff a valuable read on how he handles senior opposition, informing his game schedule as World Cup returnees filter back into the squad.