'GABRIEL IS A BRIGHT STAR... BUT DEBUT IS RULED OUT FOR NOW'

MANCHESTER UNITED caretaker boss Darren Fletcher has confirmed JJ Gabriel will not be included in the squad for today’s clash against Brighton.

- BY STEVEN RAILSTON

Gabriel turned 15 last October, which means he cannot play in the Premier League, but he is eligible to feature in the FA Cup under competition rules.

Fletcher was United's Under-18s boss before his promotion to caretaker duties, meaning he worked closely with the exciting teenager.

Centre forward Gabriel has 11 goals in 14 academy appearances this season, including a hat-trick in a 7-0 win over Liverpool's Under-18s.

United invited Gabriel and his family into the directors' box against Arsenal at the beginning of the season, and the youngster has already taken part in a handful of first-team training sessions.

And while fans have speculated the forward could feature in the FA Cup, Fletcher confirmed he would not be involved at Old Trafford today.