REUTERS/Chris Radburn
Manchester United were rocked on Tuesday after it emerged that 15-year-old wonderkid JJ Gabriel wants to leave Old Trafford.
Gabriel - nicknamed the 'Kid Messi' - has made his intentions clear to Man United club chiefs, submitting a formal notice that he wants to cancel his registration immediately, although the Red Devils are able to challenge the request.
United themselves are said to be confused at how the situation has escalated, given the player was set to be included in the matchday squad for the EFL Cup tie against Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday night.
The 15-year-old will now be absent against the Seagulls, although United aren't giving up hope that they can convince the forward to stay where he is.
Despite not turning 16 years of age for another three weeks, JJ Gabriel showed his quality and potential by winning both the Premier League Under-18 Player of the Year award and Man United's Under-18 Player of the Year last term.
He then made his senior debut in the pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid this summer, before scoring a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut against Sabah last week.
It's understood that the teenager didn't train with United at the end of last week after the relationship between the youngster's family and the club ran into trouble.
JJ Gabriel's Man United record:
U18s - 32 apps, 29 goals, 4 assists
U19s (UEFA) - 1 app, 3 goals, 0 assists
U21s - 2 apps, 2 goals, 2 assists
One suggestion is that there was general unhappiness after 19-year-old duo Shea Lacey and Harry Amass made their Champions League debuts in the straightforward win against Sabah at Old Trafford last week.
Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox remain in direct contact with them to try and resolve the situation, with the player able to sign a scholarship agreement on October 6, when he turns 16.
He isn't short of suitors either, as GMS understands that Real Madrid and Barcelona have been pitching to Gabriel for several months. He's attracted interest from several Premier League clubs too, with Man City expressing interest a year ago, while Chelsea are also monitoring the situation.
Shea Lacey is Next Man United Superstar
Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
It's looking difficult for Manchester United to turn this JJ Gabriel situation around, and they shouldn't be held to ransom by a 15-year-old, but if they are unable to keep hold of him, they could soon forget all about him because of the emergence of Shea Lacey.
Like Gabriel, the 19-year-old forward has massively impressed for the youth sides and has been rewarded with 95 minutes in the first-team so far, including an 18-minute cameo against Sabah last week.
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Shea Lacey Record for United Youth Sides
Team
U18
U19 (UEFA)
U21
Lacey almost made a dream impact off of the substitutes' bench in the 2-2 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor in January, after caretaker boss Darren Fletcher told him to be 'fearless' as he sent him on to help the side find a winning goal.
The teenager nearly delivered it himself, as he launched a stunning 30-yard strike that cannoned off the crossbar, while also showcasing his skill and ability to get shots away.
His cameo didn't go unnoticed by the likes of Joe Hart and Paul Scholes, who both compared him to Manchester City and England star Phil Foden in the aftermath.
Hart said: “I’ll tell you what, he’s a player. He reminds me of Phil Foden the way he moves.”
Scholes added:
“He’s only 18, I thought he was a bit older than that, I remember seeing him that long ago, he’s probably very similar to Foden, he needs to develop a little bit more.”
The comparisons aren't surprising given Lacey's style of play and the fact he's left-footed, and he is clearly very talented technically.
If the 19-year-old can continue to back up his goal contribution numbers when he is given chances in the first-team, then United will soon forget all about JJ Gabriel and put their full focus into a player who wants to be at Old Trafford.