Manchester United are facing a real crisis over the future of academy star JJ Gabriel, with the 15-year-old informing the club that he wishes to cancel his registration with the club immediately.
Gabriel was thought to be available for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Brighton, but it was revealed this week that he has not trained with Michael Carrick’s side due to a breakdown in relations between his family and the club.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are personally involved in trying to ease the crisis facing a club that has invested so much in developing itself.
The fact that Gabriel should have put his name on United’s academy roster to feature in the first team – he was already tipped to break David Gaskell’s 70-year record as United’s youngest-ever player – and a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut last week only underlined why the club rate him so highly.
JJ Gabriel’s career so far | Number of appearances | Target | Assist |
|---|---|---|---|
U18 Super League | 26 | 26 | 3 |
FA Youth Cup | 6 | 3 | 1 |
Premier League 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
european youth league | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Sources at the club admit they are not entirely sure what prompted matters to reach this point. United do have the option of challenging the cancellation request rather than simply accepting it, but with Gabriel registered until the end of the season regardless, there is still a short window of time to find a solution before the situation becomes irreversible.
Chelsea are the first Premier League club to be linked with a move for Gabriel – read more here!
Fabrizio Romano reveals Manchester United’s chances of keeping Gabriel
Fabrizio Romano reveals his Youtube The Red Devils are reportedly actively negotiating to restore peace and there is still a chance that Gabriel could end up signing a new contract at Old Trafford, although the likelihood is less than 50%.
“Manchester United, on the other hand, are still trying to keep the player at the club. Still trying to make things happen,” he said.
“At the moment, if you ask me about the possibilities, it looks difficult for Manchester United, the probability that they can change the situation and keep the players is certainly less than 50%. But I will not rule anything out because the message from the club today is that we will try, we are still discussing, we are still trying to solve the problem.”
“So on the one hand, United are trying to come to an agreement with JJ, sort out the situation and keep one of the best talents in the world at the club. On the other hand, JJ Gabriel wants to leave and JJ Gabriel is looking at different opportunities.”
pursuer | Condition | possibility |
|---|---|---|
real Madrid | Long viewed as a potential addition to Castilla, said to fit their youthful philosophy | real threat |
barcelona | Surveillance is part of their search for ‘the next Ramin Yamal’ | real threat |
Bayern Munich | The Bundesliga champions have called his representatives | serious interest |
arsenal | Interest, previously thought to be premature, is now said to be reviving | Rising |
chelsea | I spent some time in their academy when I was a kid, but I haven’t made any concrete moves yet. | background interests |
paris saint germain | It’s like Bayern has contacted to inquire about the transfer. | speculative |
What happens next for Gabriel and Manchester United?
Gabriel does not turn 16 until October 6, the day he becomes eligible to sign a scholarship form at United or, if his registration has been canceled by then, at any other caller.
If a direct fight over his registration does begin, United would be entitled to training compensation from FIFA’s scheme, but the figure would be nowhere near what a player of Gabriel’s caliber would cost.
Disturbing parallels have been drawn to Paul Pogba, who left Manchester United as a teenager in 2012 rather than sign a new deal – a decision that cost the club a club-record £89m four years later. No one at Old Trafford wants a repeat of the same story with the 15-year-old.