Image credit: Action Images/Andrew Boyers
Manchester United have been rocked by the news that wonderkid JJ Gabriel has officially asked to be released from his registration at the club.
The 15-year-old sensation has been widely tipped to be a future star at Old Trafford, and had been expected to become their youngest-ever player at some point this season, having shone at Academy level for several seasons despite his age.
The forward has scored 2 goals and registered 2 assists for the Under-21s team this season, while he also netted a stunning hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut last week against Sabah, and also earned the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year last season for his performances with the Under 18s.
Gabriel was involved during pre-season with the first-team and did travel with the squad on a number of occasions; however he featured for just eight minutes against Atletico Madrid, as Michael Carrick opted to use other options instead.
The young talent has not been involved with the first team at all yet this season, and it's been reported that after seeing youngsters Harry Amass and Shea Lacey come on as substitutes in the Champions League last week, he is now looking to leave to feature elsewhere instead.
GIVEMESPORT sources understand that Carrick was set to involve the forward in the first-team squad for their EFL Cup clash with Brighton on Wednesday night, but the player has refused to train and asked to be de-registered, in news that has shocked chiefs at Old Trafford.
But this isn't a situation that should come as a major surprise to people who have followed the youngster's fledgling career closely, because his father has been known to be very difficult behind the scenes.
The player has been heavily linked with moves abroad for years, with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich all showing a strong interest. Gabriel was also heavily linked with a move to Man City last summer, before Man Utd convinced him to stay put as it was the best thing for his development.
However, the time has now come for United to make a major statement by letting the talent leave and proving once and for all that nobody is bigger than the club.
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JJ Gabriel Man Utd Stats
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JJ Gabriel Holding Man Utd to Ransom
JJ Gabriel
There is nobody disputing just how good JJ Gabriel could become as a footballer, and there is no denying that if he leaves Man Utd it would be a huge blow for the club.
But there is a line that needs to be drawn, where no matter how talented you are, you are not bigger than the club. That line has now been crossed, and unless the player performs a U-turn, Man Utd should not be throwing everything at him to keep him anymore.
His father has regularly caused controversy with comments made on social media about the club, Gabriel, and his teammates, while there has been exit speculation for years despite his tender age. It's clear that the player's entourage are in it for themselves, rather than what is genuinely best for him.
Demanding and expecting first-team minutes at the biggest club in the country when you're not even legally allowed to buy a can of Red Bull is simply unacceptable, and Man Utd must show to everyone else in the academy now, and future young superstars, that it doesn't matter how good you are if your attitude is wrong.
Man Utd cannot be held to ransom over a 15-year-old, regardless of how good and talented he is. If JJ Gabriel is adamant that he wants to leave, then let him. It will be worth it in the long run.