Manchester United have a serious headache in their academy after JJ Gabriel asked to leave the club and began trying to secure his release from Old Trafford.
This request came as a surprise to Manchester United’s top brass.
The club’s hierarchy are said to be unsure of what prompted the sudden change, especially after spending months charting a clear path to senior football for one of their most promising players.
Its timing only added to the shock as Gabriel was set to join Michael Carrick’s first-team squad for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Brighton at Old Trafford.
At just 15 years old, if he can play, he will become the youngest adult player in Manchester United’s history. Instead, his involvement is now uncertain while the club attempts to repair the situation.
JJ Gabriel’s youth record at Manchester United | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Manchester United level | Number of appearances | Target | Assist |
Under 18 years old | 38 | 31 | 4 |
Under 21 years old | 2 | 2 | 2 |
european youth league | 1 | 3 | 0 |
all | 41 | 36 | 6 |
Gabriel has been with United since he was 11 and his rise through the academy has accelerated.
He regularly performed above the level of his peers, training with the senior team and announcing his status in Europe with a hat-trick against Sabah on his UEFA Youth League debut.
Last season he also became the youngest winner of Manchester United’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year Award. It’s another sign of the huge faith in the striker who has previously attracted attention from Barcelona and Manchester City.
Sir Alex Ferguson and former manager Rúben Amorim are reportedly among the senior figures who have spoken to Gabriel about his future and path forward at Old Trafford.
His age makes this very different to a normal transfer, as Gabriel cannot sign professional terms until he turns 17, making him eligible for a scholarship when he turns 16 next month.
United believe his existing registration remains binding, meaning he will not automatically become a free agent.
JJ Gabriel sets sights on Premier League side after Manchester United request exit
talking about sports Ben Jacobs It has now been revealed that the teenager is pushing for a quick move away and appears to have identified a potential destination in the Premier League.
Jacobs wrote on X: “JJ Gabriel has asked to leave Manchester United and is trying to enter free agency, as Matt Lowe has called for.”
“United are not yet aware of what prompted this request.
“The previous plan was to have him break into the first-team squad for tomorrow’s league clash with Brighton. United believe the situation can be rectified, but talkSPORT understands the player is pushing for a move away as soon as possible.
“While there are no formal arrangements yet, it is understood that JJ Gabriel has another Premier League club in mind.”
The final details will be the focus at Old Trafford.
Losing an elite player certainly hurts, but watching him continue to develop against a domestic rival makes the setback even more difficult to bear.
Premier League teams eyeing JJ Gabriel
Jacobs did not reveal the clubs Gabriel is considering and stressed there are no deals pending for him yet, although two unnamed Premier League sides are believed to be interested in him, with Chelsea reportedly among his admirers.
United’s immediate priority is to find out the reasons behind this request and restart dialogue with Gabriel and his representatives.
The club still believes the differences can be resolved, but the player’s desire to leave as soon as possible shows there is still plenty of work to be done.
Brighton’s debut was intended to provide an update on Gabriel’s future in a red shirt. Now this could be an opportunity to show how much United have to lose.