JJ Gabriel has been nicknamed ‘Kid Messi’ and is widely seen as the biggest talent in Manchester United’s academy
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Michael Carrick has confirmed he is taking part in discussions regarding JJ Gabriel’s future at Old Trafford after the 15-year-old asked to leave Manchester United.
The highly regarded young attacker had been in line to make his first competitive appearance for the senior squad on Wednesday, following an impressive hat-trick on his Uefa Youth League debut for the Under-19s last Thursday.
However, Gabriel was omitted from the squad for United’s 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton after it emerged on the eve of the tie that the teenager's camp had requested his departure from the club.
Addressing the ongoing situation following the third-round loss, boss Carrick said: "I just think we’ve got to be really careful of the whole situation.
"He’s a young boy, he’s 15 and the biggest (thing) for me definitely and as a club point of view is looking after our younger players. Their welfare, their wellbeing, their exposure.
Michael Carrick says welfare is the most important thing for young players (Martin Rickett/PA)
Michael Carrick says welfare is the most important thing for young players (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)
"And I think all of us we’ve got to be really conscious of that, really, in this situation.
"As a club, for sure, we’re all involved in those conversations. I just think we’ve got to be very careful of that."
Gabriel, who is tipped as the next great product from the United youth system, is trying to become a free agent by giving United formal notice he wants to cancel his registration with the club.
United feel the situation is rectifiable and have not given up hope of persuading the forward to stay.
However, the club was left bemused as to what caused Gabriel to try and leave as they had been planning to include him in their squad for Wednesday’s match against Brighton, when he was in line to become United’s youngest ever player.
Gabriel, who was nicknamed ‘Kid Messi’, became the youngest player to represent United in unofficial matches during pre-season.
Carrick has previously described Gabriel as “a really big talent” and United’s record appearance maker Ryan Giggs has called him a “generational talent”.
Last year, he became the youngest ever winner of the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year, given to United’s academy footballers, and was also named Under-18 Premier League Player of the Season.