Carrick calls up young Messi for training! Manchester United announces one loan departure, reveals reason for last-minute recall of the prodigy

At only 15, Manchester United youth prospect Gabriel (JJ Gabriel) joined the senior squad training for the first time since Carrick took over, but he will definitely not feature for the new manager this campaign because he does not meet the age criteria. Known as the "Little Messi," this young forward lacks eligibility for this Premier League season and can only appear starting next season.

Gabriel mainly plays for Manchester United’s under-18 youth team in the English Youth FA Cup. He started in the first two rounds and scored the winning goal in the opening round, helping the team advance. Carrick was also present in the stands at Old Trafford during those matches.

Last summer, European giants like Barcelona tried to lure Gabriel away, but Manchester United’s sporting director Jason Wilcox convinced him to extend his contract for two more years on the condition that he regularly trains with the first team. Before Ruben Amorim’s departure, this promise was fulfilled several times by including him in senior training sessions.

On Monday night this week, Manchester United’s U21 team played against West Bromwich Albion, meaning the young players who participated, such as Sheya Lacey who scored a hat-trick in that match, could not attend the first team’s training the following day. The senior squad had Monday off and resumed light training on Tuesday, so Gabriel was called up to join the group training sessions.

On the winter transfer deadline day, February 2nd, Manchester United officially announced the emergency recall of midfielder Jack Moorhouse from League One side Leyton Orient. Moorhouse has appeared 20 times in League One this season, scoring once and providing two assists, but he has only completed 90 minutes in two matches.

The main reason for recalling 20-year-old Moorhouse is that Leyton Orient signed former Manchester United midfielder Dylan Levitt. Levitt was the 231st academy player to debut for United’s first team, making his Europa League debut under Solskjaer in 2019. He is now a Wales international and participated in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, clearly demonstrating stronger ability than Moorhouse.

The club anticipates that Moorhouse’s playing time will be severely limited. Therefore, rather than letting him continue training with the League One club, it is better for him to return to Manchester United’s U21 squad to train and compete under new coach Adam Lawrence, where he has a greater chance to develop.

Leyton Orient agreed to the arrangement, acknowledging that to avoid relegation they must restrict Moorhouse’s minutes on the pitch. They confirmed that his opportunities to play would inevitably be limited. Leyton Orient currently sits 18th in League One, just one point above the relegation zone.

The team’s manager and former Manchester United player Richie Wellens said, “Jack is undoubtedly a very talented player, and I believe our fans have already witnessed his excellent performances this season. However, given our current situation, his playing time might be restricted. We have had open discussions with Manchester United about this matter, and we highly value our cooperative relationship. Jack’s return to United is accepted, and we have found others to fill the gaps in our squad.”

Additionally, on Tuesday, Manchester United officially announced that 20-year-old defensive midfielder Sékou Koné has been loaned to Swiss club Lausanne-Sport. He will wear the number 80 jersey and stay until the end of this season. Although the English transfer window is closed, Swiss clubs can still register players until February 12. Lausanne-Sport is owned by Manchester United’s owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, currently ranked 7th in the league and eligible for the Europa Conference League. The club has also loaned another Red Devils youngster, French striker Enzo Kana-Biyik, who at 19 has made 17 appearances this season, scoring once and assisting once, mainly as a substitute.