JJ Gabriel
Manchester United were rocked by news on Tuesday afternoon that incredible academy sensation JJ Gabriel has demanded to leave by handing in a request to terminate his registration.
The 15-year-old forward has been tipped to become the youngest-ever player in the club's history after shining as a youngster, scoring 31 goals in 38 games for the Under-18s as a 14/15-year-old last season, which earned him the Jimmy Murphy Award for the best academy player - the youngest person to win the award.
GIVEMESPORT sources understand that Gabriel was in line to feature in the EFL Cup squad against Brighton on Wednesday night before refusing to train with the squad and asking to leave, which has seen that plan now shelved. But while the club are said to be confused about what prompted the request, and believe there is time to rectify the situation, the real reasons behind his anger have now emerged.
JJ Gabriel Furious at Lack of Minutes
Image credit: Action Images/Andrew Boyers
The teenage sensation was involved in the Man Utd first-team's pre-season squad this season for a number of games, but played for just 8 minutes against Atletico Madrid and didn't touch the pitch again at any point for Michael Carrick's side.
It's understood that the player and his entourage were hoping to be on the bench for the team's first home game in the Premier League against Ipswich Town, but his absence has left them feeling like they are getting mixed messages from the club.
Manchester City were keen to take the wonderkid away from their rivals, but Man Utd convinced the player to stay put. However, their lack of opportunities for Gabriel in the first team has seen them question if that is the right decision or not.
It's also reported that a recent decision by Carrick in the Champions League has contributed to the player's decision to push for a move away.
United took on Azerbaijani side Sabah last week at Old Trafford and cruised to a 4-0 win, which saw the manager hand competition debuts to 19-year-olds Harry Amass and Shea Lacey. That decision, with Gabriel not involved in the squad at all, is believed to have been 'the final straw' for his camp, as they feel that spot could have been given to him instead.
Now, top clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and sides in England are believed to be circling around the talented teenager to recruit him.
Man Utd believe the player is contracted until next summer, and they will not de-register him despite his request, as they look to convince him to stay at Old Trafford. But it will take a major U-turn at this stage for that to happen, with it clear that the teen is unhappy with the way the club are handling his development.