carragher
Jamie Carragher has been applauded for his comments on JJ Gabriel's situation at Manchester United after the Liverpool legend questioned his parents' handling of their son's career.
Gabriel wants to leave United and has asked for his resignation to be canceled before even making his senior debut. The English wonderkid's father, Joe O'Cearuill, is believed to be behind the sudden desire to depart Old Trafford.
The 15-year-old is regarded as the most exciting talent to emerge from the club's academy in years and had been tipped to make Michael Carrick's first-team this season. Reports indicate behind the scenes issues between officials and O'Cearuill who changed his son's surname for branding reasons.
'Didn't Help' - Jamie Carragher Warns JJ Gabriel's Parents
JJ Gabriel
JJ Gabriel
United are trying to convince Gabriel to stay and sign a professional contract but there is huge interest in the youngster nicknamed 'kid Messi'. Real Madrid and Barcelona are keeping tabs on the situation while Chelsea and Manchester City are also thought to be monitoring developments.
Carragher knows the influence parents can have on young players as his own son James plays professionally for Wigan Athletic in the EFL League One. He appeared on the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast to give his verdict:
"In my experience when I was a kid... and watching James [Carragher] come through, in the main when there are situations like this the players never really fulfil their potential. When you've got an entourage, maybe it's the parents... we all know growing up, even at our age, some parents were a nightmare with their kids and were onto coaches about not getting enough minutes."
Carragher appeared to question Gabriel's parents' motives and whether they are doing what is right for the teenage prospect:
'You always look back, 20 years later, and I just think "that didn't help your son". And those players... I'd say 70, 80 per cent of situations where the entourage or the parents are a nightmare to deal with, they never end up doing what they should do because of situations like this."
Gabriel showed humility last season despite the widespread acclaim he received after netting 23 goals in as many Premier League U18 games. He even posted the word 'patience' on social media after remaining on the bench in United's 5-0 win over Rosenborg in a pre-season friendly back in July.
Just a week before reports emerged over Gabriel's intention to leave Old Trafford, Ryan Giggs had urged the youngster to wait for his opportunity. That advice seemed to fall on deaf ears although many in the English game believe his father is the one instigating a potential exit.
Carrick responded to the situation after United suffered a 3-2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion to crash out of the Carabao Cup in the third round on Wednesday. He told reporters:
"We have to be a little bit careful on that one. He's a 15-year-old boy. It's more about the welfare, the care and the attention of JJ as a child really."
Gabriel made headlines just a week prior with a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Sabah FK in the UEFA Youth League. The club are hopeful of persuading him to stay and that the situation can be rectified, but it's not the first time an exit has been explored.
United's director of football Jason Wilcox stepped in alongside head of negotiations Matt Hargreaves to convince Gabriel about his pathway to the first-team last summer. He flirted with a departure back then and the suggestion is that O'Cearuill views his son as big as a talent as Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.
State of Man Utd Might Be Concerning JJ Gabriel's Camp
JJ Gabriel
JJ Gabriel
GMS also understands that both Real and Barcelona have been pitching to Gabriel for several months. He's attracted interest from several Premier League clubs as well. Man City expressed interest a year ago, while Chelsea are also monitoring the current situation.
It's a situation that Carrick and INEOS will not want to be dealing with amid a nightmare start to the season. Last night's loss to Brighton made it three defeats in six games across competitions as they exited the Carabao Cup.
With United stumbling throughout the course of INEOS' regime, his entourage might be within their rights to question the direction the club is headed in. There are already doubts growing over Carrick's future just four months on from his appointment as permanent head coach.
JJ Gabriel
JJ Gabriel
The issue is Gabriel's family's approach, as they seem frustrated with a lack of first-team football. But with Barca and Madrid eyeing him, how can they expect him to be earning minutes at senior level in either of those teams stacked with attacking talent.