Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel has been included in the senior squad to face Rosenborg in a pre-season friendly on Friday.The 15-year-old played a starring role for the Under-18s last term, recording an average of a goal per game in the league and scoring three in their run to the FA Youth Cup final, which they lost to rivals Manchester City.Gabriel finished the season with the Under-18 player of the season award, the youngest in the academy’s history to do so.An appearance against Rosenborg in Trondheim, Norway would make the attacker one of the youngest players to play for the senior side. United have never fielded a player for a competitive fixture younger than goalkeeper David Gaskell, who was 16 years, 19 days old on his debut in 1956.The highly-regarded winger — who has played in central areas too — was praised towards the end of last season by head coach Michael Carrick.“JJ’s a big talent,” the former midfielder said. “It’s pretty obvious to know that. And he’s had a really good season for the under-18s. We obviously think an awful lot of him, but patience is important in managing everything that comes with working with him, as we do with all the different age groups and younger players.“Picking the right moment to step up, picking the right moment to leave them in a certain place and (other) ups and downs. But he’s done well in his training, he’s done well, as you’d expect.”United’s eye-catching attacking talentAnalysis by Manchester United correspondent Carl AnkaGabriel shone brightly within United’s academy last season, scoring 29 times in 32 appearances across youth levels and helping his sides reach the FA Youth Cup and Premier League Under-18 cup finals.The teenager trained with the senior team briefly in March, but was unable to feature in matchday squads higher than under-18 level because he was 14 years of age when the 2025-26 season began. Premier League rules allow a 15-year-old to play so long as they are 15 by August 31 of the campaign in question.Typically a winger (he is said to be a fan of Neymar), Gabriel was gradually given more time as a more orthodox number 10 towards the end of last season in an attempt to further his development and better prepare him to the more physical elements of the game at senior level.Gabriel is an eye-catching attacking talent when on the ball, and confident when taking on a defender with a bit of skill or explosive burst of pace.He has also featured for England’s under-15 and under-16 sides.