When Man United’s JJ Gabriel has to score by to break Max Dowman’s Premier League record

JJ Gabriel is one of the brightest prospects at Manchester United and all eyes will be on him if he makes his senior debut next season after a superb campaign with the Under-18s

Arsenal academy sensation Max Dowman made history on Saturday night as he became the youngest ever goalscorer in Premier League history in the Gunners’ 2-0 lead over Everton.

The midfielder came off the bench and at 16 years and 73 days and wrote his name into the history books. He broke the record previously held by former Toffees striker James Vaughan, who was 16 years and 270 days old when he scored against Crystal Palace in 2005.

This season, Dowman has become the youngest player ever to play in the Champions League, the youngest player to start a match for Arsenal and the youngest player to feature for the Gunners in the FA Cup.

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Dowman’s heroics over the weekend have resulted in fans talking up potential names who could follow the 16-year-old and break the record. As expected, Manchester United’s JJ Gabriel is one player with huge excitement around him.

Gabriel, 15, is one of the most exciting youngsters at Carrington after his incredible season with the Under-18s. After being called-up to first-team training by Ruben Amorim earlier this season, the forward was included by Michael Carrick in the preparations for this weekend’s clash with Aston Villa.

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However, the talented teenager will have to wait until he makes his senior debut given he is ineligible to play Premier League or Premier League 2 football until next season. Rules mean that because he was 14 when the current campaign started, he is not permitted to make an appearance.

Gabriel has scored 20 goals in 22 games for Darren Fletcher’s Under-18s this season, with him tipped to become a success at senior level. While nobody will want to pile the pressure on the youngster, there is a date that he will have to score by in the Premier League to overtake Dowman.

With him turning 16 on October 5 this year, the 15-year-old will have until December 19 to find the back of the net in the Premier League to become the youngest-ever goalscorer.

United interim head coach Carrick revealed he was well-aware of Gabriel’s talent, but seemed keen to play down the hype around him. “He’s doing really well, JJ,” he said.

“We’ve got some really good young players in the academy and we try and get the younger players up as much as we can. We’re always trying to give that exposure to the players to come and train and feel it. JJ is a big talent, 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 that and working with him in development as we do with all the different age groups and younger players and picking the right moment to step up, picking the moment to leave them in a certain place and ups and downs.

“When he’s trained, he’s done well, as you’d expect, and it’s good to have the younger players come up with us.”