According to Manchester United reporter Simon Stone, Gabriel has been impressing in Premier League 2, scoring an audacious finish against Ipswich and following it up with a completely different, but equally impressive, effort against the same opponent. The youngster's development has been closely monitored by head coach Michael Carrick, who has praised Gabriel's talent and physical adaptation to each step of his development.
Gabriel's impressive performances have sparked debate about when he will make his first-team debut. Ryan Giggs, United's record appearance holder, was 17 when he made his debut in 1991, and has spoken about the importance of patience in a young player's development. Giggs believes that sometimes it's necessary to be patient and allow a young player to continue developing before giving them first-team exposure.
As United have had a tricky start to the season results-wise, it remains to be seen whether Gabriel will be given his first-team debut in the near future. The club's Champions League games offer 11 substitute places, rather than nine in domestic competition, which could potentially provide an opportunity for Gabriel to make his debut against Sabah FK on Thursday. However, it's unclear whether he will be involved in the match, given that he did not train with the first team on Wednesday.
Gabriel's future will likely be decided by Carrick, who will need to balance the youngster's development with the demands of the first team. With United's Under-19 Uefa Youth League campaign prioritised this season, it's possible that Gabriel may be given more opportunities in this competition rather than the first team. The big question is, where does Gabriel's pathway lead, and when will he take the next step in his development?