Man Utd U18s hero talks to Amorim about 'place in first team'

JJ Gabriel hit a stunning hat-trick for Manchester United U18s as he continues to knock on the door of the first team.

The 15-year-old was in devastating form as United's youngsters beat Liverpool U18s 7-0.

Also on the scoresheet were Bendito Mantato, Louie Bradbury, Jim Thwaites and Sam Lusale to ensure a well-deserved victory.

Dominating for large portions of the encounter, Darren Fletcher's side climbed back up the table into second place following the victory on Merseyside.

Mantato set the tone with the game only minutes old, pressing from the front to earn United an early corner.

Not at all resting on his laurels, it was Bendito who opened the scoring shortly after, with defender Albert Mills playing a wonderful ball through to find him.

Taking it within his stride before charging forward, the young Red jinked inside before tucking home his effort past Liverpool goalkeeper Kornel Miscuir. Noah Ajayi was the next to go close after 15 minutes played, working a solid opportunity, albeit soon foiled by the Merseysiders' shot-stopper.

Liverpool man Finn Inglethorpe weaved his way into the area before shooting into the side-netting, as the hosts looked to get back into the game.

La'more Lee Forrester then lashed an effort at the United goal as the rain came down, with Cameron Byrne-Hughes called into action for the first time.

But Gabriel's magic soon doubled the advantage, with the young forward twisting and turning in the box, before delivering a clinical finish to make it 2-0.

He could have had another before the first 45 minutes were over, too, but his cross-cum-shot narrowly evaded both Nathaniel-Junior Brown and the far post.

Jay McEvoy's header went close in the second half continued, while Thwaites' deliveries causing all kinds of trouble for Liverpool.

Brown found himself a yard of space before blasting over the bar as the unrelenting pressure continued.

Gabriel rode two challenges inside the penalty area, before keeping his nerve to smash home into the roof of the net for 3-0.

A Thwaites set-piece needed the attention of Misciur and his resulting corner would turn into a fruitful one.

After a scurry in the box, Bradbury was on hand to poke home our fourth goal of the game from the in-swinging deliver, with there still plenty of time for lots more drama.

Lusale was then brought down as the referee had no choice but to point to the spot on 83 minutes.

Thwaites took responsibility and despite losing his footing, got just about enough on it to notch a fifth goal for Fletcher's men.

Lusale got his reward and found himself in a similar situation before rounding the Liverpool no.1 for another late goal, as our advantage grew once more.

And there was still enough time for Gabriel to complete his hat-trick as well-worked move resulted in him smashing home to make it 7-0 to the Reds.

Gabriel has been involved in first team training under Ruben Amorim in recent weeks and one of the most highly rated talents to come through the academy.

The teenager and his family were invited into the Old Trafford directors' box for the opening game of the season against Arsenal.

Gabriel has spoken to Amorim, with the United boss discussing his philosophy and stressing the importance of working hard. Omar Berrada (CEO) and Jason Wilcox (director of football) were involved in the meeting to keep Gabriel in the summer, and fans have speculated when he could make his senior debut.