JJ Gabriel will not be included in the Manchester United squad to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup tomorrow after he decided not to train today, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The 15-year-old was in line to make his first competitive matchday squad with the Man United first-team for Wednesday’s game following an inspiring start to the season.
Gabriel notched a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut against Sabah FK under-19s last Thursday to help the Red Devils run out 5-0 winners.
He recently deleted his Man United photos on Instagram, and while it was reportedly to remove any distractions from his game, it appears he was only preparing for a departure.
Gabriel has told United that he wants to leave and become a free agent right away, but the Old Trafford club will be desperate to hold on to him.
JJ Gabriel now won't be included in the Manchester United squad to face Brighton tomorrow after he decided not to train on Tuesday. Has told #mufc he wants to leave the club. Plan had been for him to be involved
— Tyrone Marshall (@TyMarshall_MEN) September 15, 2026
The likes of Chelsea and Barcelona are keen on him, and he can join a club outside England because he has an Irish passport.
The reason for Gabriel’s decision to want to move on is unknown, but this is not the first time that he has asked to leave.
The forward and his family informed the Red Devils at the start of the 2025 summer that they wanted out.
They thanked people at the club for all they had done, but Man United organised an emergency meeting in June, a day after Gabriel returned from holiday, and were able to change his mind.
He joined the club as an 11-year-old and could now be on the verge of leaving.
Gabriel cannot sign a professional contract until he turns 17 and is also ineligible to sign scholarship agreements until he turns 16 in October.