JJ Gabriel's future has been widely discussed since the teenager requested to leave Manchester United
JJ Gabriel of Manchester United
Manchester United prospect JJ Gabriel asked to leave the club last month(Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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JJ Gabriel has captured attention following his shock request to leave Manchester United last month. The talented teenager appeared to have a pathway into Michael Carrick’s side before asking to have his registration cancelled, which United refused.
The 15-year-old was initially in the spotlight after making waves in United’s academy, scoring 26 goals in 29 games last term and winning the U18 Premier League Player of the Season. Gabriel is yet to make his first-team debut but did feature for Carrick’s side during pre-season.
“I’ll just repeat what I said: he’s a young boy, it’s important we don’t put anything out here, the exposure and scrutiny we have to be careful,” Carrick said. “We have to be sensible and think about him. The situation will work itself out.”
Gabriel could have made his senior bow against Brighton in the Carabao Cup last month but was left out of the squad after requesting to leave the Red Devils, prompting speculation over switches to Barcelona and Real Madrid. With the United starlet set to celebrate his 16th birthday on Tuesday, here is a closer look at the situation.
U-turn on social media ban
Shortly before it emerged that he had requested United terminate his registration, Gabriel wiped his Instagram account of all posts in September. However, the attacking midfielder subsequently U-turned his decision by restoring three posts on his page last month.
Two of the posts displayed Gabriel, who boasts 857,000 followers, signing Nike deals in 2021 and 2025, with the latter described as a long-term contract. The other showed the teenager receiving his U18 Player of the Season award and posing with the trophy alongside the Premier League’s record goalscorer Alan Shearer.
The 15-year-old also shared training footage on his Instagram stories. The footage was originally posted by football coach Jack Hunter, with whom he works individually.
JJ Gabriel celebrates scoring for Manchester United U18s
Gabriel starred for Manchester U18s last season(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
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Barcelona hint
Gabriel has recently spent time training in Barcelona, fuelling noise over a possible move to the Spotify Camp Nou. The Manchester Evening News reports that the United academy star has been working with his private coach Hunter and other specialist coaches in Castelldefels.
He has not trained at United’s Carrington base since submitting his request to leave. It is added that Gabriel has regularly visited Barcelona, with his family keen for him to join the Catalan club. Real Madrid are also claimed to be among his potential suitors.
Man Utd deadline
United are facing a race against time to find a resolution before Gabriel turns 16 on Tuesday. This milestone could allow the attacking midfielder to join a club abroad, as the England U17 international also holds a European passport.
JJ Gabriel celebrates scoring for Manchester United U19s
Gabriel scored a hat-trick against Sabah in the UEFA Youth League during his most recent game for United(Image: Zohaib Alam/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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The Red Devils are unable to offer Gabriel a professional contract until his 17th birthday and cannot stop him from heading abroad. However, Barcelona sporting director Deco recently downplayed the Catalan side’s interest in Gabriel.
“There's nothing to say about this boy,” Deco said at the Portugal Football Summit. "It's normal that players are linked with us. It always happens. There's a huge market for that with a lot of interests involved, even when [players] are young.
"But we are not interested in any player in his situation. I'm not sure what's happening, and if he's still a Manchester United player. We are not involved in that. First of all, we need to understand how the situation is before we try to do something. To speak about young, teenage players, it is not our business."
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