Ryan Giggs has warned 16-year-old Manchester United prospect JJ Gabriel not to rush his development as he prepares to leave the English club for Real Madrid.
The Manchester United great, who made 963 appearances for the club and won 34 major trophies, discussed Gabriel’s future during an appearance on former team-mate Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel.
“Everything has gone well in his career so far, so why ruin it?” Giggs said. “You are on the right path.”
Gabriel is understood to be close to formally joining Real Madrid in a deal worth about 15 million euros, according to media reports.
Giggs said his own experience showed why young players needed to allow themselves time to develop before expecting regular first-team football.
“I trained at 15 and did not play for the first team until two years later, so you have to be patient,” he said. “That is something people do not seem to have at the moment.”
“And believe it or not, first-team football at Manchester United is completely different from playing youth football, or even appearing in pre-season matches.”
The former Wales international also stressed that succeeding in one appearance was not enough to establish a career at the highest level.
“You might do well in your first game, but you have to do it over 40 or 50 matches in a season,” Giggs said. “You will have injuries, loss of form and poor results, so you have to be patient.”
“If you are on the right path, wait for your opportunity, no matter how good you are.”
Giggs pointed to Arsenal youngster Max Dowman as an example for Gabriel to follow. The 16-year-old has impressed but is not currently playing regularly for Arsenal, with Giggs suggesting that patience could eventually lead to a first-team role.
“Max Dowman is incredible, but he is not playing for Arsenal at the moment,” Giggs said. “I am sure he is waiting for his chance, and I am sure he is feeling impatient, but he is not rebelling.”
“He knows that in two years’ time he might be a regular starter for Arsenal.”
