Академийн ирээдүйтэй тоглогч Жэй-Жэй Габриэль багаа орхих хүсэлт гаргасны дараа Манчестер Юнайтед Ноа Ажайг түүний халааг авах гол хувилбараар тодорхойлов.
Есдүгээр сарын 15-ны өдөр 15 настай Жэй-Жэй Габриэль Манчестер Юнайтед-аас чөлөөт тоглогч болох хүсэлтээ албан ёсоор илэрхийлсэн юм. Тэрээр Сер Алекс Фергюсоныг явснаас хойш тус клубийн уналт үргэлжилж байгааг явах болсон шалтгаанаа хэмээн тайлбарлажээ. Одоогоор Барселона, Байерн Мюнхен, Парис Сен-Жермен болон Реал Мадрид зэрэг Европын шилдэг клубийн анхааралд өртөөд буй Габриэлийн бүртгэлийг цуцлахаас Манчестер Юнайтед татгалзсан байна.
Тус клубийн удирдлагууд Габриэлийн ирээдүй тодорхойгүй байгаа энэ үед академийн өөр нэгэн авьяаслаг тоглогч Ноа Ажайг бэлтгэж эхэлжээ. 17 настай, 193 см өндөр жигүүрийн довтлогч Ажай өнгөрсөн улиралд U18 багт 25 тоглолтод оролцож, 9 гоол оруулж, 1 оновчтой дамжуулалт өгсөн амжилттай юм.
Ажай есдүгээр сарын 25-нд Манчестер Юнайтед-тай мэргэжлийн гэрээ байгуулсан бөгөөд 2026/27 оны улиралд U18 багийн бүрэлдэхүүнд Ньюкасл Юнайтед-ын эсрэг тоглолтод гоол оруулсан. Дасгалжуулагчдын зүгээс түүний хурд, хурдатгал болон цохилтын чадварыг өндрөөр үнэлж, цаашид үндсэн багийн түвшинд хүрэх хөгжлийн төлөвлөгөөг гаргаад байна.
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Manchester United have identified academy star Noah Ajayi as JJ Gabriel’s potential long-term replacement.
On September 15, it was revealed that JJ Gabriel had sent his formal notice to Man United and wanted to become a free agent immediately. The 15-year-old later cited United’s ‘decline’ since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure as the ‘driving force’ behind his desire to leave Old Trafford.
Unsurprisingly, Gabriel has since garnered interest from some of Europe’s top clubs, notably Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, but it remains to be seen where his immediate future lies after establishing himself as one of the world’s most promising teenagers.
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Man United identify Noah Ajayi as potential JJ Gabriel successor
Gabriel cannot sign a scholarship at an English club until he turns 16 in two days (October 6) and would have to wait until his 17th birthday to sign a professional contract.
Crucially, the teenage forward can sign with an agent from Tuesday onwards, and in turn, join an EU-based club through his Irish passport.
United have reportedly already refused to terminate the player’s registration. All three parties – the club, the player and the parent/carer – must agree before a child’s registration can be ripped up.
A future away from Old Trafford is the most likely avenue, having not been seen since scoring a hat-trick in a UEFA Youth League win over Sabah on September 10. But it appears the Red Devils hierarchy are already planning for life without the youngster.
The 13-time Premier League champions have already been linked with multiple players, including Lille wonderkid Mezian Mesloub, though academy star Noah Ajayi is also seen as a potential successor.
Ajayi, a 6ft2 left-winger, played alongside Gabriel in the U18s last season and produced similar levels. The 17-year-old scored nine goals and assisted once in 25 appearances, with his most valuable contribution coming in the Premier League Cup final against Crystal Palace in April.
According to Manchester Evening News, coaches believe that ‘Ajayi is a gem’ and is viewed as a prospect for the first team, not in the near future, but eventually down the line as he follows the development plan laid out for him.
In addition, the teenager’s pace and acceleration are seen as ‘huge assets’, while his finishing is another strength that has had many feeling excited about his potential.
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Noah Ajayi must kick on after signing contract
On September 25, Ajayi signed a long-term professional contract with Man United after starring for Darren Fletcher’s U18s last term.
The Hamburg-born starlet has since made three appearances in 2026/27, scoring once in a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the U18s Premier League.
Ajayi must use his professional contract and his precocious talents to kick on this season and become a regular in the U21s.
He’s only made four appearances in that age group, but as he turns 18 in November, the onus will be on him to step up and make a name for himself.
Then, Michael Carrick will be forced to take even more notice and perhaps hand him his debut.
JJ Gabriel’s potential departure only increases Ajayi’s importance even further, as several believe he can go on to become the latest star to emerge from their esteemed academy.
