Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
JJ Gabriel is pushing to leave Manchester United and seemingly hasn't taken club legend Ryan Giggs' advice on board.
Shock reports emerged on Tuesday (September 15th) that Gabriel had asked to leave the Red Devils and for his registration to be cancelled. The 15-year-old and his family's decision have been put down to a lack of first-team football, having been frustrated with the club's treatment of him, wanting a clear pathway to Michael Carrick's senior squad.
Carrick's decision to turn to Shea Lacey and Harry Amass, both 19, in a 4-0 win over Sabah FK in the UEFA Champions League proved somewhat of a breaking point. There are suggestions that issues have been growing between his father, Joe O'Cearuill, and club officials in recent months.
Ryan Giggs Advised JJ Gabriel to be Patient
JJ Gabriel
Gabriel is regarded as United's most exciting academy product and had been expected to be their answer to Arsenal's Max Dowman. He has been earning rave reviews at youth level and is nicknamed 'kid Messi' due to his unbelievable technical ability.
While the England U17 international trained with the first-team and played for Carrick's side during pre-season, he has yet to make his senior debut. The Red Devils now have a fight on their hands to keep the attacking prospect as Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the clubs reportedly ready to sign him should he depart.
Giggs spent his entire career at Old Trafford after rising through the youth ranks and he became the most decorated player in United's history. The Welshman sent a message to Gabriel only a week ago when he appeared on Rio Ferdinand's YouTube channel, urging him to be patient and wait for his opportunity:
"You need to play games and it's difficult because if you're in squads for the first team you're not going to turn that down, but also you need minutes on the pitch. A couple of times I went up to the first team and then went back to the youth team - and it's about how you react to that. Are they still showing that same ability when they go back?"
Giggs, a 13-time Premier League champion, made his United debut aged 17 and ended his career at the Theatre of Dreams aged 40. A member of the famous Class of 92', he played under Sir Alex Ferguson and believes Gabriel has the perfect enviroment to become a success:
"He's at the best club because of the history of young players coming through and how they're looked after. He's got good people around him who have played at the club - Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Jonny Evans."
Giggs added: "It's sort of a generational talent, so there's no point going out on loan because he's at the best place. He'll be dipping in and out of the first team so that experience is invaluable - not only the games and the training, but also travelling with the team and managing the expectation of United. The focus is so huge on Manchester United and you need to get used to that."
Madrid are reportedly frontrunners to sign Gabriel if United are unable to convince him to stay put and sign a contract to cement his future at the club. ESPN reports that the La Liga giants plan to use him initially in their Castilla team, meaning if he were to head to the Estadio Bernabeu he wouldn't be starting in Jose Mourinho's senior setup.
"Patience is Important" - Carrick Echoed Giggs' Stance
Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Giggs isn't the only United legend well aware of Gabriel's potential as Carrick spoke glowingly of the English wonderkid last week. After he scored a hat-trick for the U19's in a 5-0 win over Sabah in the UEFA Youth League, the club's head coach said:
"JJ is a big talent, it's pretty obvious to know that and he's had a really good season for the Under-18s. We obviously think an awful lot of him, but patience is important in managing everything that comes with that and working with him in development as we do with all the different younger players and picking the right moment to step up."
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Gabriel could remain in England as Chelsea and Manchester City are also thought to be eyeing the Carrington academy product. It's hard to ignore similarities with Alejandro Garnacho, albeit the Argentine winger became a regular at senior level before an uncereminious departure reminded him that the grass isn't always greener.