Manchester United put in a convincing performance in its first real test—and gave “prodigy” JJ Gabriel his first call-up to the first team. The next opponent will be even more formidable than Atlético.
Their first match after the summer break—a 0-1 loss to AFC Wrexham—was a setback, but Manchester United is now finding its early-season form. Following their 5-0 win at Rosenborg Trondheim, manager Michael Carrick’s team secured a convincing 2-1 victory over Atlético Madrid on Saturday afternoon in Solna, Sweden.
The Red Devils dominated from the first half onward but went into halftime trailing: A cross from Arnau Ortiz following a short corner found the back of the net in the 5th minute, with 40-year-old Tom Heaton in goal. United then missed several chances to equalize but were rewarded in the second half.
Bryan Mbeumo, who started up front, first converted a penalty—taken with his signature hop, as usual—in the 53rd minute, before scoring his second goal in the 74th minute following a build-up error by Atlético, thus becoming the match-winner. The fact that last season’s third-place Premier League team won the so-called “Snapdragon Cup” was, of course, secondary.
Mbeumo scores twice—and then makes way for JJ Gabriel
That didn’t apply to a substitution in the 82nd minute: Mbeumo was replaced by 15-year-old JJ Gabriel, who had already been on the roster against Trondheim but hadn’t yet seen any action. Now he made his debut for the first team, with a competitive match on the horizon for him next season.
The London-born forward was named the best player in the U-18 Premier League last season after scoring 26 goals in 26 games, even though he was significantly younger than his competitors. With a competitive appearance in the coming months, Gabriel could break Man United’s age record—held by goalkeeper David Gaskell since 1956.
For now, however, the “wunderkind” is likely dreaming of getting playing time in the next friendly: This coming Saturday, United will face Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg. In the Premier League, Carrick’s team will face its first test on August 22 against newly promoted Hull City.