JJ Gabriel's father was a former professional footballer at Arsenal and played for the Republic of Ireland national team
JJ Gabriel during a Man United youth team match
JJ Gabriel has asked to leave Man United in a bombshell move(Image: (Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images))
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Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel left club officials stunned on Tuesday after asking to leave Old Trafford. The highly-rated 15-year-old has been tipped to be the next big star that breaks into the first-team set-up but his future has been cast into doubt.
The United youngster, whose birth name is Joseph Junior Andreou O'Cearuill, wiped all mention of the Reds from his social media accounts, just as his father Jason O’Cearuill has. Gabriel's father has reportedly played a huge part in his son's career, according to the Sun.
But who is Gabriel's dad? O'Cearuill came through the youth ranks at at Leyton Orient and Watford before joining Arsenal in 2006-07 after impressing for the Gunners' reserve team that year.
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He was an unused substitute during Arsenal's League Cup third round clash with West Bromwich Albion and failed to make a senior appearance for the club. He made seven appearances with Brighton on loan, and was twice capped by the Republic of Ireland during a post-season tour in the United States in 2007, three years before Gabriel was born.
O'Cearuill would join Barnet before embarking on a career in Non-League, calling time on his career in 2016.
JJ Gabriel
JJ Gabriel wants to quit Man United(Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Gabriel has been on the fringes of the first team for the last 12 months and was unveilled alongside Cristiano Ronaldo's son when the duo first signed for United, as a sign of their appreciation for the youngster.
There is understood to be internal bewilderment over why Gabriel has now requested to leave, particularly given that the plan had been to include him in the squad to face Brighton this evening.
The youngster was in line for a potential debut, which would have made him the youngest player ever to represent the club.
United still believe the situation can be resolved given the remaining time on his contract. Gabriel cannot be de-registered, but next summer will present an opportunity for him to move on - though the club are keen not to lose him.
In the wake of the bombshell news of Gabriel's request, a source within the industry suggested the matter could yet be smoothed over with money, according to*the Manchester Evening News.*
However, whether that would be sufficient to retain Gabriel and how much more United are willing to put on the table remains unclear.
United have gone to considerable lengths to demonstrate to Gabriel that there is a clear pathway to the first team, though he was too young to make his debut last season.