Manchester United have been left stunned after JJ Gabriel told the club he wants to depart Old Trafford.
The 15-year-old wonder kid was tipped as the next big thing to come out of United’s famed youth system but is now formally trying to cancel his registration with the club in a bid to become a free agent.
The news comes on the eve before Gabriel was expected to become United’s youngest ever player in their Carabao Cup third-round tie against Brighton, with Michael Carrick planning to include him in Wednesday’s matchday squad. He will now not be involved due to his request to exit.
Gabriel was involved in United’s pre-season and was even given a playing opportunity, an eight-minute substitute cameo up front against Atletico Madrid. This made him the youngest United player to ever feature in a non-competitive match, but the lack of further afforded minutes during pre-season is reported to be a factor behind his desire to leave.
The youngster, who primarily plays as a left-winger or a No 10, grew up in London and spent stints at numerous top academies, including Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham and Queens Park Rangers.
He garnered fame aged just eight, showing off his skills in a viral YouTube video which earned him the nickname “Kid Messi”.
Gabriel went on to join United’s youth setup at the age of 11, where he soon became regarded as one of the club’s brightest prospects.
He became the youngest winner of the club’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award last season after scoring more than 20 goals for the United’s Under-18 side. Gabriel’s goalscoring exploits also saw him named the Under-18 Premier League Player of the Season.
This season, Gabriel was not picked for United’s opening Champions League outing against Sabah, preferred to feature in the corresponding fixture in the Uefa Youth League. There, he thrust himself back into the spotlight with a hat-trick in a 5-0 win.
United head coach Michael Carrick has described Gabriel as “a really big talent” and United’s record appearance maker Ryan Giggs has called him a “generational talent”.
Gabriel is also an England international at multiple youth levels and is signed to a long-term sponsorship deal with Nike.
But following his surprise request to leave the club, a transfer frenzy could be set to break out, with several of Europe’s biggest hitters previously courting Gabriel.
The Athletic reports that the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have all once held an interest in starlet, while Gabriel also had an opportunity to sign for Manchester City last summer, only to opt to stay at United after being given assurances over his pathway.
United feel the situation is rectifiable and have not given up hope of persuading the forward to stay. Premier League rules state that youth registration can only be cancelled if the club, player and parent or carer agree, with the Premier League making a binding decision if an agreement is not reached.
Gabriel, who removed all United-related content from his Instagram account several days ago, turns 16 on 6 October and cannot sign a scholarship agreement until then, or a professional contract until he turns 17.
