'Really talented' - Ruben Amorim verdict on 'next Neymar' after he trained with Manchester United first-team

Ruben Amorim believes Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel is 'really talented' but played down the significance of his involvement in first-team training this week.

The 15-year-old took part in an intrasquad friendly fixture on Thursday as United prepared for their weekend clash with Brighton in the Premier League. United drafted several academy stars into the session due to the fact that they had lower numbers after their U21s had faced Barnsley in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

Gabriel was one of those involved in the session and sparked a frenzy when he took to social media to confirm his participation in first-team training. The young forward only turned 15 at the start of the month and is already recognised as one of the most talented players in the club's academy set-up.

Amorim gives verdict on JJ Gabriel

JJ Gabriel has already been dubbed the 'next Neymar' due to his immense technical ability after he grew up idolising the Brazilian forward. He was also given the nickname 'Kid Messi' after several videos of him went viral during his early years as a footballer.

Manchester United have been keen to ease the expectations on the teenage sensation, though he has been fast-tracked into their U18 side this season, where he has seven goals and one assist in just six appearances. He has 10 goals in nine appearances in total for the U18 side since he made his debut last season.

Ruben Amorim watched videos of Gabriel during internal flights on United's pre-season tour of the United States, and he got a closer look at him during first-team training this week. Quizzed on his training involvement, Amorim told reporters at his pre-match press conference: "Like everyone, I know he is a really talented guy and everyone paid attention on social media.

"You could see the U21s had a game, and we had less players and tried to pick players for training that have talent, not just for me to see for tomorrow, but for them to feel what it means to be in the first team, the difficulties playing against our defenders, the difficulty of our training, the pace. If we can use every training we have to show the kids what they need to do to be here, it is important, not just for JJ but for everyone."

Gabriel won't be involved for United when they face Brighton this weekend, but he is firmly on Amorim's radar and could earn a debut if he continues his fine form. There is even a chance the teenager could become the youngest player to feature for the club, a record held by David Gaskell, who made his debut at the age of 16 years and 19 days back in 1956.

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