The 15-year-old, whose future at Old Trafford is not in doubt despite interest from elsewhere in the closing days of the transfer window, was given the nod for Manchester United's Premier League 2 season opener at Leigh Sports Village and produced a man-of-the-match display against opponents largely years his senior.
Gabriel set the tone inside three minutes, teeing up Victor Musa for the opener, before laying the ball off for Jaydan Kamason to double the lead shortly afterwards.
He then got in on the goalscoring act himself midway through the second half, chipping a delightful lob over Ipswich goalkeeper Woody Williamson to complete a personal highlight reel. Jack Fletcher and Dan Armer were also on target as United ran out comfortable 5-0 winners, with Ipswich reduced to ten men late on after Leon Elliott was sent off.
Manager Michael Carrick, who signed a two-year contract to become United's permanent manager over the summer, watched on from the stands just days after a chastening defeat at Hull City.
Gabriel's rise to first-team peripheral status has been rapid: he made his senior bow as a substitute in last month's pre-season friendly win over Atlético Madrid, having spent the summer training and preparing alongside United's senior squad.
Premier League safeguarding regulations mean the teenager is required to get changed separately from the first-team dressing room whenever he features for the senior side, a situation that would repeat itself should Carrick call upon him for a competitive fixture.
Gabriel has been training with the first team regularly since impressing behind the scenes last season, and has found an influential mentor in Marcus Rashford as he continues his development towards a first-team debut.
United's Under-21s boss Adam Lawrence left several more experienced names out of his matchday squad against Ipswich, including Dan Gore, Diego Leon and Toby Collyer, with the latter trio's futures at the club still the subject of transfer speculation as United continue searching for buyers in the closing days of the window.