Manchester United's young Messi clears his name and scores in the starting lineup, advancing to the quarterfinals! Carrick drives 260 kilometers to watch the game.

Manchester United’s Under-18 squad advanced to the quarterfinals of this season’s FA Youth Cup, with 15-year-old "Little Messi" Gabriel (JJ Gabriel) and Chido Obi, famous for scoring 10 goals in one game against Liverpool while at Arsenal, both scoring. United’s senior team manager Carrick traveled a long distance to attend the away fixture.

On Wednesday, Carrick led the first team back from break in training, preparing for next Monday’s Premier League away match against Everton. Afterwards, he drove 260 kilometers south along the M6 motorway to Oxford. His trip paid off as Darren Fletcher’s Manchester United U18 team secured a 4-1 victory over Oxford United.

Manchester United broke the deadlock within 12 minutes of kickoff when midfielder Jim Thwaites delivered a corner, and defender Mills headed the ball into the net. Before halftime, Gabriel received the ball facing away from goal near the box, turned, and shot from distance on a slippery pitch, with the goalkeeper misjudging the bounce, allowing the ball to go in and extend United’s lead. Winger Junior Brown then assisted Obi, who scored inside the small box for the third goal. Oxford United pulled one back, but in stoppage time, Su Noah Ajayi cut in from the left and scored, sealing a 4-1 final score.

Although only 15 years old, the highly anticipated Manchester United prodigy Gabriel has already scored twice in the U18 FA Youth Cup. In the Premier League U18 competition, he has 11 goals and 2 assists, making him the team’s top scorer.

Gabriel was previously sent off in an EFL Cup match, threatening his eligibility for the FA Youth Cup. In the game where Manchester United edged West Brom 4-3 to reach the EFL Cup knockout stage, Gabriel, who had already provided two assists, was shown a red card at the 52nd minute after a clash with an opponent.

It was a highly controversial decision: Gabriel tangled with West Brom midfielder Harry French off the ball with minimal contact, arguably not even warranting a yellow card, yet the referee directly issued a red card. This meant Gabriel would miss three matches, including the FA Youth Cup game against Oxford United.

Fortunately, Manchester United appealed and successfully overturned the red card, allowing Gabriel to participate in last weekend’s Premier League U18 Manchester derby away at Manchester City, as well as this FA Youth Cup match. Carrick attended both games in person, with the young Red Devils achieving back-to-back wins.

Due to his age, Gabriel is definitely ineligible to play for Manchester United’s first team this season. However, English media believe that 18-year-old midfield core Jim Thwaites could have a role in Carrick’s squad. While Thwaites is unlikely to start for United, he might be available on the bench.

Manchester United’s midfield options are currently thin; apart from Casemiro and Cody Mené, only the €60 million signing Ugart remains, whose performances have been disappointing. Consequently, many fans prefer to see academy talents like Thwaites given opportunities. In Carrick’s first five games in charge, he gave Taylor Fletcher, one of Darren Fletcher’s twin sons, his debut. Of course, Carrick faces pressure to deliver results and may be cautious about giving too many chances to young players.

However, Carrick’s commitment to youth development is evident in his routine attendance at youth matches almost every week. He has also clearly stated: "Manchester United needs young players to emerge; they are the foundation of the club."

On March 14, Manchester United U18 will host the next round of the FA Youth Cup, facing the winner between Sunderland and Brighton. The Red Devils last won this tournament in 2022, when Cody Mené and Ganacho were key players in the team.