JJ Gabriel could be fast-tracked on to pre-season tour and fans hit by unpopular Old Trafford change

MANCHESTER UNITED could bring several Youth Cup stars on their pre-season Euro tour.

SunSport understands Carrington’s rising stars are poised to join the senior squad’s summer trip.

With senior players delayed by an extended World Cup, youngsters like JJ Gabriel—who has already impressed first-team coaches—are set to be fast-tracked. 

Tour plans will undoubtedly take a hit, as the final of the 48-team World Cup showpiece is scheduled for July 19 — a week later than usual.

Players that go beyond the group stage might not return to Manchester until early August, with the Premier League season due to start on August 22.

No matter the manager, Gabriel has left an impact on Ruben Amorim and U18 coach Darren Fletcher, so will likely impress any new arrival in the dugout if Michael Carrick steps down.

Youth Cup star Noah Ajayi and full-back Godwill Kukonki could also be shortlisted for the five friendlies set to be held in European cities.

Shea Lacey, 18, was back in training on Thursday and the forward is another teenager that would surely warrant a spot.

Mikel Arteta brought Arsenal whizkid Max Dowman, then 15, on the Gunners’ tour of Asia last summer.

Dowman has since become the Premier League’s youngest ever scorer after aged 16 and 73 days as the league leaders moved nine points clear of City.

SING WHEN YOU’RE WINNING

Whether it is donning a United tie, a United scarf, cosying up to the manager, hobnobbing with Sir Jim Ratcliffe or referring to them as “we”, Peter Schmeichel continues to do his utmost to atone for playing against United for Manchester City.

United fans of a certain vintage do not think fondly of Schmeichel over his season back in Manchester at Maine Road, where he performed a cartwheel in celebration of City’s first derby victory in 13 years in November 2002.

Schmeichel is a regular at Old Trafford as a pundit for overseas rights holders these days but strikes a partisan note.

The Dane was singing along to the ‘Take Me Home’ anthem shortly before kick off against Aston Villa as he declined a selfie request from a fan.

SITTING DUCKS?

More general admission tickets in front of the directors’ box in the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand are due to be relocated next season to make way for additional hospitality seating.

United matchgoers are becoming numb to such measures. A season-ticket holder who occupies one of the seats that is due to be moved said, “I’m not very happy about it, but they don’t care, do they?”

Those seats, located behind the dugouts, provide one of the best views in the house. 

Stuck to the back of them is a sticker that reads, “Please note this is a seated area. Persistent standing will impact the view of your fellow fans and may lead to removal from the stadium.”

There is little danger of that when many of the occupants don half-and-half scarves.

LACKING AMO

It looks like United’s online following may be missing Amorim sound bites.

On the official United YouTube channel, the majority of Amorim’s press conferences racked up views well into six figures, with understandable dips to five figures after a defeat or a draw.

Michael Carrick’s last five press conference videos have five-figure viewings.

Unsurprisingly, Amorim’s post-match appearance at Leeds United – when he effectively engineered his sacking – has not made the United press conference playlist.

PRESSING ISSUE

United’s FA Youth Cup quarter-final against Sunderland drew another small crowd of 2,516 amid a rise in ticket prices for academy games.

It is unclear whether press box attendants count towards the final attendance but, with no official accreditation required, United actually allowed a few fans without laptops into the working area.

WIL-HE-WON’T-HE?

United director of football Jason Wilcox was also present for the Youth Cup tie. 

Wilcox, who used to coach the City youth team before he became academy head at the club, is back in United fans’ good books amid their run under Carrick and the success of their summer signings.

Nearly two years on from his arrival at the club, Wilcox is yet to speak with external media.

He embraced a reporter at Selhurst Park after United beat Crystal Palace 2-1. Some have speculated whether that particular reporter will get a one-on-one with Wilcox.

ALL ACADEMIC?

The directors’ box was full of familiar faces again for the Sunderland youth game: Carrick, Jonny Evans, Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Wayne Rooney, John O’Shea, Darron Gibson, Senne Lammens, Tom Heaton and Graeme Carrick took in the game.

Heaton and Lammens headed for the exit in the 85th minute. Carrick, Evans, Holland and Woodgate soon followed.

REST IN PEACE

There was sad news on Thursday with the death of former United goalkeeping coach Silvino Louro.

Louro was Jose Mourinho’s main goalkeeping coach and assisted him at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and United.

Mourinho visited Louro in Madrid when he was unwell earlier this season.

YOUTH FILES

On Wednesday night, Jim Thwaites was an unsung hero at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup as United claimed a 3-2 win after coming from behind.

United’s forward Noah Ajayi claimed the headlines, but Thwaites put in a solid midfield showing, dictating play throughout.

Thwaites, a clinical No6, has been hailed as a “cheat code” by fans due to his specialism on set pieces, including corners and free kicks.

He is proving himself ready to be that fifth man in the midfield department next season.

WHEELIE KIND

United have put on free coach travel for supporters making the trek to Bournemouth tonight.

Four hundred fans have accepted the club’s generous offer for another inconveniently-timed kick-off in Dorset.

In Bournemouth’s nine seasons in the Premier League, they have hosted United for a Saturday 3pm kick-off only once.

United have had four lunchtime kick-offs at the Vitality Stadium, two tea-time games and tonight is their second evening timeslot.