Youngster chooses club over country
One of United’s brightest – and youngest – academy prospects JJ Gabriel is set to politely turn down the chance to play for England Under-16s this week.
At 14 years old, Gabriel was the ONLY United youth star to be called up to the nation’s talented 23-player squad.
But Gabriel’s dad, former footballer Joe O’Cearuill, replied to a social media post saying his son couldn’t go.
Former Republic of Ireland international O’Cearuill wrote on X: “JJ’s not going, he is staying with the Under-18s at United.”
Gabriel, who is set to train with Amorim’s first team this season, is eligible to represent England, Ireland, Cyprus, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Though born and raised in Britain, his international options come through his Irish father, Cypriot mother, and Trinidadian grandfather.
The teenager and his family were invited to meet Amorim at Carrington this week after being given VIP treatment in the directors’ box for the Arsenal game on Sunday.
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