The 16-year-old, who has two England Under-17 caps, is eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, and Trinidad and Tobago through his father, former Ireland defender Joe O'Cearuill. Gabriel is unable to play in the Premier League this season due to his age, but manager Michael Carrick has emphasized that the club will not rush his development. "JJ is a big talent. We obviously think an awful lot," Carrick said in a press conference.
Other academy prospects include Noah Ajayi, a 17-year-old German winger who has scored seven goals in 16 appearances this season, and Kai Rooney, who has scored twice in seven U18 appearances. Rooney made his Old Trafford debut in the FA Youth Cup in January but sustained a season-ending injury last month. According to Daily Express - Sport, his mother Coleen Rooney described the family as proud of their Irish heritage but said the decision on international representation is for the boys to make when they are older. Rooney has not yet featured for England's age-group teams.
Obviously they're so young yet. We haven't got to that point, but I think they'd be proud to play for Ireland, yeah. But I don't know, they don't know. Let's let them make the decision.