There is reportedly a fear within Manchester United that rivals Manchester City could raid their Academy for highly-rated 15-year-old talent JJ Gabriel.
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It is the latest development concerning Manchester City and Manchester United in a week of headlines dominated by the two clubs, mostly due to events on the pitch and Enzo Maresca's side's 0-1 win at Old Trafford in Premier League action on Sunday.
Erling Haaland's second-half goal from a Josko Gvardiol cross was enough to separate the two sides, as Manchester City and their 10-men put in a resilient showing on opposition turf having seen Phil Foden dismissed for violent conduct on 23 minutes.
Now, aside from the controversy that came with the weekend, the latest drama emerges from Manchester United, with 15-year-old Academy star JJ Gabriel having asked to leave Old Trafford after not being involved in the club's UEFA Champions League opener against Sabah.
That development comes despite United officials reportedly planning to include Gabriel in their matchday squad in the Carabao Cup third round against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night.
Man City emerge as JJ Gabriel suitors
Now, according to The Sun's Samuel Luckhurst, Manchester United fear that JJ Gabriel could move to Manchester City, who are interested in the teenager alongside Premier League rivals Chelsea and La Liga champions FC Barcelona.
The Catalan giants are claimed to have made a concerted effort to 'woo' the 15-year-old, who is said to have spent part of his summer in Catalonia.
An academy battle between City and United continues
Any deal for JJ Gabriel between Manchester United and Manchester City would be the latest in a growing list of transfers between the two professional football rivals at youth level.
Former Old Trafford star Darren Fletcher and his twin sons, Jack and Tyler, recently swapped the City Football Academy for Old Trafford in 2023, while officials at the Etihad Stadium recruited Harrison Parker in the opposite direction.
This summer alone, Manchester United managed to secure the signatures of both David Eze and Karim Cassim from Manchester City’s academy, and it may come as no surprise to see the Sky Blues aiming to get revenge on their rivals.
For now, it remains to be seen just how serious Manchester City are when it comes to the future of JJ Gabriel, although they certainly face intense competition from throughout the European football scene.
Enzo Maresca is known to be encouraging the development of youth talent at Manchester City, and this season promoted all of Kaden Braithwaite, Floyd Samba, and Ryan McAidoo into the senior first-team picture.