Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel has asked to leave the club, with the 15-year-old's future now in doubt after he requested to be released from his contract
JJ Gabriel
JJ Gabriel has informed Man United that he wishes to leave the club(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Manchester United prodigy JJ Gabriel left club officials astonished on Tuesday after requesting to depart Old Trafford. The highly-regarded 15-year-old has been earmarked as the next major talent to emerge into the first-team setup, but his future has now been thrown into uncertainty.
The United youngster, whose birth name is Joseph Junior Andreou O'Cearuill, removed all references to the Reds from his social media profiles, mirroring actions taken by his father Jason O'Cearuill. Gabriel's father has played a pivotal role in his son's career.
Here, the Manchester Evening News has taken a closer look at Gabriel's family.
Who is Gabriel's dad?
O'Cearuill progressed through the youth systems at Leyton Orient and Watford before moving to Arsenal in 2006/07 following standout performances for the Gunners' reserve side that year. He was named as an unused substitute during Arsenal's League Cup third round encounter with West Bromwich Albion, but never made a senior outing for the club.
Joe O'Cearuill
Gabriel's dad Joe O'Cearuill
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He featured seven times while on loan at Brighton, and earned two caps for the Republic of Ireland during a post-season tour in the United States in 2007, three years prior to Gabriel's birth. O'Cearuill subsequently moved to Barnet before pursuing a career in Non-League, bringing his playing days to an end in 2016.
He drew the ire of Ruben Amorim during his time as United boss, following a meeting at Carrington. A photo of Gabriel and Amorim circulated on social media and the Portuguese coach was unhappy that his father had shared the image publicly. It was deleted, but it had already spread far and wide.
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Gabriel's journey
Gabriel has been on the periphery of the first team over the past 12 months and was presented alongside Cristiano Ronaldo's son when the pair initially joined United, demonstrating the club's regard for the youngster.
There is reported to be considerable confusion within the club as to why Gabriel has now asked to leave, particularly given that the intention had been to include him in the squad for Wednesday night's fixture against Brighton.
The youngster had been in contention for a potential debut, which would have made him the youngest player ever to pull on the shirt for the club. United remain confident the situation can be resolved given the time still remaining on his contract - though there are worries about a potential loophole that could see him leave.
Gabriel cannot be de-registered, but next summer would present an opportunity for him to move elsewhere if that loophole is not used - though the club are eager not to lose him.
United have gone to significant lengths to show Gabriel that there is a clear route into the first team, though Premier League rules meant he was too young to feature last season.
But the club have always known that whatever they might do, it might not be enough to keep Gabriel because his father has long dreamt of his son starring for Barcelona.