JJ Gabriel transfer news: Man Utd’s highly-rated teenage prospect asks to leave Old Trafford | Football News

Manchester United’s 15-year-old academy prodigy JJ Gabriel has asked to leave the club, Sky Sports News understands.

The highly-rated teenager and his representatives have sent formal notice to United’s hierarchy requesting that his registration be cancelled with immediate effect, which would allow him to become a free agent.

The request has come as a major surprise to those at Carrington, with Sky Sports News understanding the club are mystified by the reasons behind Gabriel’s decision.

Wednesday 16th September 7:00pm


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Gabriel was involved in Michael Carrick’s first-team plans during pre-season and Sky Sports News understands though he was expected to be involved in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Brighton, he will not be part of the squad.

Questions had already been raised after Gabriel removed all Manchester United-related content from his Instagram account several days ago.

The situation is not considered irretrievable, with United hopeful it can still be resolved given the timescale involved. Gabriel also cannot simply be deregistered by the club without the relevant process being followed.

He joined United at the age of 11 and is regarded as one of the outstanding young talents to emerge from the club’s academy.

Gabriel became the youngest winner of United’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award last season after scoring more than 20 goals for the U18s.

The teenager has also previously attracted reported interest from Manchester City, while Arsenal, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have been linked with him.

Premier League rules state that a youth registration can only be cancelled if the club, player and parent or carer agree. If they cannot reach an agreement, the Premier League can make a binding decision.

Gabriel turns 16 on October 6 and cannot sign a scholarship agreement until then, or a professional contract until he turns 17.

Man Utd will be desperate not to let Gabriel slip through their fingers

Analysis by Sky Sports’ William Bitibiri:

“Not since Duncan Edwards in the 1950s has a young player at Manchester United generated as much excitement as JJ Gabriel. Although I didn’t have the privilege of watching Edwards, I have watched Gabriel play live and it’s not simply hype.

“There’s a talent there that United have made no secret of expressing their confidence in. Starting last season at age 14, the U18s Premier League is already well aware of his ability.

“As his age suggests, he’s a slight player, still to grow into adulthood, but that hasn’t prevented him from setting whatever stage he’s been given alight. His technical ability and maturity are those of a player beyond his age, and he has an eye for goal too.

“His 21 goals in the U18s Premier League saw him scoop up the golden boot at that level. He was also named U18s Premier League player of the year and became the youngest winner of the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in United history.

“Following his activity on social media or having spoken to people with some knowledge of the forward, he’s football-obsessed and eager to learn, develop and stretch his abilities.

“There’s no question United will be moving heaven and earth to keep him on the books. United’s famed academy very rarely provides margin for error, but letting Gabriel slip through the cracks will be a sad indictment of one of Europe’s leading footballing schools.”

Carrick hoping to begin trophy-winning campaign against Brighton

The Carabao Cup represents Michael Carrick’s first domestic cup campaign as United’s long-term head coach and offers an early opportunity to put silverware back on the agenda at Old Trafford.

Carrick was part of United’s coaching staff during a barren spell in terms of trophies, initially working alongside Jose Mourinho before continuing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from 2018 to 2021. He later took charge on an interim basis.

Solskjaer’s reign was repeatedly judged on United’s failure to turn semi-final and final appearances into trophies, with the club reaching the latter stages of several competitions without lifting silverware.

Now installed as the club’s permanent head coach, Carrick has made clear that winning trophies remains central to the job.

“Trophies is the beauty and the feeling of winning is what we’re in football for, what we’re in sport for, and certainly one we’re in this club for us to try and win,” he said.

Carrick acknowledged that success cannot simply be demanded into existence, but stressed the importance of giving supporters the emotion that comes with winning trophies.

And despite the temptation to rotate with United facing a busy schedule, he insisted his side will approach Wednesday’s tie determined to progress.

“It’s important for us to win football matches,” Carrick said. “It’s important that we manage the squad as well, and get everyone up, keep everyone up to speed, keep everyone ready, keep everyone part of it.

“We’re going into Wednesday trying to win the game.”

United go into the Brighton clash looking to respond immediately to Sunday’s derby disappointment, with Carrick admitting their Premier League points tally is currently below expectations.

The defeat to City was made all the more frustrating by the fact Enzo Maresca’s side played much of the match with 10 men, but Carrick believes his players can use the setback as motivation.

“We’ve got to move on. We’ve still got to look at it for ourselves and we’ve got to win games,” he said.

“It’s a fresh season, and the points tally right now is not what we want it to be, so we’re not hiding from that. But it’s more of getting winning games, getting that feeling, getting that habit.”