Manchester United have taken another step toward introducing JJ Gabriel to senior football after naming the 15-year-old academy forward in Michael Carrick’s squad for the next part of their preseason tour of northern Europe.

Gabriel has already been involved in first-team training on multiple occasions, and he is due to be eligible for the Premier League in 2026-27. The immediate question is whether he can now turn that exposure into actual senior minutes during preseason, a move that would mark a significant stage in his development.

United’s next outing comes against Rosenborg in Trondheim, Norway on Friday evening, and Gabriel has been included in a 25-player group. He comes in for striker Ethan Wheatley, who was part of the squad that lost to Wrexham in Finland last Saturday. That is the only alteration to the travelling party.

At the end of 2025-26, United U-18 manager Darren Fletcher was asked whether Gabriel might spend preseason with the first team. His view was clear: Gabriel is “more than capable”.

Any appearance would also move Gabriel closer to an important place in the club’s record books. If he were to feature in a competitive match before October 25, he could become Manchester United’s youngest ever player. That benchmark is currently held by the late David Gaskell, who made his debut in 1956 at the age of 16 years and 19 days.

Gabriel is still very early in his progression, though. He has not yet reached the two-year scholarship programme that bridges academy football and the senior game, a stage that Kai Rooney has recently entered.

United continue to wait for the return of any player who featured in the World Cup knockout phase, apart from Scotland midfielder Tyler Fletcher. Benjamin Šeško was also absent against Wrexham and remains on a fitness programme at Carrington after missing the end of 2025-26 through injury. There is no current concern over his availability for the start of the new season against Hull City on August 22.

Matthijs de Ligt is following a different recovery path after back surgery in May, with the centre-back still working back from a spell on the sidelines and expected to be available soon.

The summer chase for Crysencio Summerville has taken a sharp turn away from England. Manchester United and Chelsea were among the clubs linked with the Dutch winger, but Al Hilal have moved into pole position with what has been described as an agreement worth around $90 million.

The Athletic reported the deal, though a medical still has to be completed before an official announcement can follow. Corriere dello Sport’s Eleonora Trotta said Summerville has been offered a four-year contract, with annual pay in the region of $13.7-17.1 million. Roma had also shown interest, with a bid around $56 million threatening to complicate the picture, while their own offer was thought to be $4.6 million.

Summerville’s stock remains high despite West Ham United’s relegation. The Dutch international still delivered a strong individual return, finishing with seven goals and five assists. That output helped secure him a place in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad, where he contributed to four goals in four matches.

For Al Hilal, this would amount to a notable statement. The Saudi Pro League club have not spent this heavily on one player since they paid more than $100 million for Neymar Jr. in 2023. It is also another reminder of the division’s power in the market, where Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané already feature among the headline names.

The move leaves Manchester United and Chelsea to reconsider their plans. United may already have a solution for the left wing, even if the hierarchy is not entirely convinced. After Marcus Rashford’s buyout clause expired, the academy graduate is set to return to Old Trafford, at least for preseason following his post-World Cup hiatus.

Rashford impressed during last season’s loan spell at Barcelona, but Hansi Flick preferred Anthony Gordon because of concerns over his work rate off the ball. Even so, United’s more reactive approach under the promoted interim coach could suit him, with less need to press high.

Manchester United’s plans to bring in Éderson appear to have moved out of reach after the midfielder signed a contract extension with Atalanta.

United had already worked towards a deal worth £35 million ($47 million), with nominal add-ons helping to lift the package, but the move never reached completion. The transfer was first delayed when Éderson was called into Brazil’s World Cup squad as a late injury replacement. By the time United returned to the situation, a reported knee concern had given them pause.

That uncertainty opened the door to other targets. Alternative moves for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans followed, with each offering a different profile in midfield. Even so, Éderson had remained a possible option as United continued to work through the market. His new agreement with Atalanta has now closed that route and, at the same time, increased his valuation.

Atalanta have not confirmed the length of the deal, but the extension removes any suggestion that Éderson was available as a straightforward deal. For United, the picture is still unfinished. Their midfield rebuild remains in progress and is unlikely to be complete until a destructive, engine-type player arrives to sit alongside the more ball-oriented qualities already present in Tielemans, Santos and Kobbie Mainoo.

With Éderson now tied down, United still need a Casemiro-esque presence to bring greater balance. Casemiro was released at the end of his contract around three weeks ago, while Manuel Ugarte is ruled out long term. That leaves the club still searching for the right kind of midfield anchor to steady the group.