JJ Gabriel tops list of exciting 16 youngsters who will aim to turn Carrick’s head this pre-season

Manchester United had an impressive ending to the season last year. Strong finish to season On the one hand, exiting both cups at the first stage and having no European football was disappointing for a club of this giant stature. On the other hand, once Michael Carrick took the reins, the club’s form dramatically improved and they secured Champions League football with an impressive third-place finish. The run from January to May also saw massively important victories over some of the best teams in the league, boosting fans’ confidence. Pre-season thoughts The summer so far has been occupied by the World Cup, with numerous Manchester United stars involved in the action. At the time of writing, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui and Senne Lammens remain the only Manchester United players left in the competition. Nonetheless, it is easy to forget that Manchester United’s first pre-season match kicks off in just 11 days against Wrexham. The Manchester Evening News reports that, “Manchester United players will return to Carrington on Thursday as Michael Carrick welcomes back his squad for his first pre-season as the club’s head coach.” Stars who will begin pre-season Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were high-profile omissions from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, but that means both will return for the first day of Manchester United’s pre-season. Mason Mount also missed out, while Leny Yoro was not called up to the French squad, nor was Joshua Zirkzee for the Netherlands. Patrick Dorgu, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo’s nations all did not qualify, so they will also be available for all of Manchester United’s pre-season. Tyler Fletcher and Altay Bayindir both went to the World Cup, but their respective nations fell at the group stage, so they will be back to pre-season earlier. Youngsters The paper explains that, “fifteen-year-old JJ Gabriel is the player everyone wants to see this summer, but young striker Chido Obi is also likely to get a look-in, as is winger Shea Lacey, who now trains regularly with the seniors.” What’s more, “the lack of options in midfield also creates an opportunity for Jack Fletcher, Jack Moorhouse and Jim Thwaites. Toby Collyer will also be involved but is set for another loan at some point this summer.” Jacob Devaney, Radek Vitek, Harry Amass and Diego Leon should also get the opportunity to impress Carrick as he puts his side under the microscope this pre-season. Sekou Kone is also listed but there have been reports that he will continue his loan spell with FC Lausanne-Sport next season. See below for a full list of the players expected back at Carrington this week. Squad: Goalkeepers: Tom Heaton, Dermot Mee, Radek Vitek, Elyh Harrison Defenders: Jaydan Kamason, Habeeb Ogunneye, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Tyler Fredricson, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw, Harry Amass, Diego Leon Midfielders: Dan Gore, Jacob Devaney, Jack Fletcher, Toby Collyer, Mason Mount Forwards: Bryan Mbeumo, Shea Lacey, Joshua Zirkzee, Chido Obi, JJ Gabriel, Ethan Wheatley, Benjamin Sesko Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.