Manchester City's interest in signing JJ Gabriel has emerged, as Michael Carrick receives a fresh message about Marcus Rashford
JJ Gabriel during the FA Youth Cup quarter final match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford.
JJ Gabriel is a shining light in Manchester United's academy(Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)
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Manchester United are on the verge of securing a return to the Champions League – yet uncertainty hangs over what next season might look like. For all the progress Michael Carrick has made since succeeding Ruben Amorim, it remains unclear who will be at the helm once this campaign draws to a close.
Similar doubts surround several players at Old Trafford, not least Marcus Rashford. The 28-year-old is currently on loan at Barcelona, though there is no guarantee that is where he will permanently end up.
For the time being, it falls to Carrick to guide the club back to European football's premier competition, a mission that continues with a testing away fixture at Chelsea on Saturday. United will be without both Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez for that encounter, with the pair both serving suspensions.
Once that visit to Stamford Bridge is behind them, five matches remain, including Liverpool's trip to Old Trafford at the start of next month. Before all of that, however, the brings the latest news from the Theatre of Dreams, with updates on both Rashford and United's exciting new academy talent, JJ Gabriel.
JJ Gabriel interest
Gabriel may be just 15 years old but it is already abundantly evident that a bright future lies ahead of him. That future will be at Old Trafford, but only after fending off interest from Manchester City last summer.
According to the Telegraph, City made a determined bid to persuade Gabriel to make the move to the Etihad, with United reportedly even fearing at one point that they could actually lose him. Their pursuit stemmed from a regulation that permits players at the end of their under-14 year to 'serve notice' to leave a club, allowing them to de-register and subsequently join someone else.
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Gabriel will be in action for United in the FA Youth Cup tonight
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However, United managed to persuade the highly-rated youngster to stay at Old Trafford, which will come as welcome news for Carrick or whoever succeeds him in the dugout. Gabriel will be back in action tonight (Friday 17 April) when the Red Devils face Crystal Palace in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup.
Marcus Rashford return?
Rashford revealed towards the end of last year that he is keen to extend his stay at Barcelona beyond his current loan spell. That prospect remains far from guaranteed – and United legend Bryan Robson believes Carrick can coax the England forward back into the fold at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford heads a ball for Barcelona
Marcus Rashford has found game time hard to come by of late(Image: Getty)
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Speaking to Footy Accumulators, Robson said: "I stand by the idea that there's something wrong if Marcus Rashford can't enjoy his football at Manchester United. How you can't enjoy your football at United is beyond me.
"He's a dangerous player with great ability and pace, but maybe he fell out with Ruben Amorim and out of love with Amorim. If anybody can handle him, Michael Carrick is very good at that kind of thing. Marcus is that kind of player who will score goals. If United get in the Champions League, they'll need another forward."
However, whether Carrick remains at the helm himself next term is another matter entirely.