(Photo via The Rest Is Football)
Like most pundits and fans this week, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards were stunned to hear of the developments coming out of Manchester United regarding JJ Gabriel.
The 15-year-old is still pushing to leave the club and has dropped out of training since the start of the week.
JJ Gabriel: The state of play
(Photo via club media)
It’s certainly a bizarre problem that United are having to navigate, given they are being pressured into giving in to a teenager’s demands, which are seemingly coming from his family and agent (his father).
Gabriel is said to be dissatisfied with his lack of opportunities with the first team over pre-season and since the beginning of 2026/2027.
Sources close to JJ Gabriel, feel let down by #mufc, arguing promises around the pathway to the first team have not been kept. They have dismissed concerns over the player's age and physicality and feel the likes of Max Dowman, who made his debut for Arsenal at the age of 15… pic.twitter.com/fxdJPFNDBd — utdreport (@utdreport) September 17, 2026
Last week, when fellow youngsters Shea Lacey, 19, and Harry Amass, 19, were brought off the bench to feature in United’s Champions League opener, that was deemed the final straw for the attacker – despite being in line to make his debut during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash against Brighton and Hove Albion.
He ruled himself out of the fixture by refusing to train, and Lacey went on to make his full debut instead, before notching his maiden senior goal at Old Trafford.
What did Richards and Lineker have to say about Gabriel?
DUBLIN, IRELAND - AUGUST 12: JJ Gabriel of Manchester United is pictured before the pre-season friendly match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Croke Park on August 12, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland.
Gabriel is now attracting widespread interest across Europe, with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and suitors in the Premier League all keeping tabs on the situation.
Spanish outlet AS has reported that United youngster JJ Gabriel is now in Barcelona. "His time at Old Trafford is over," it adds #mufc — Steven Railston (@StevenRailston) September 18, 2026
United are privately trying to sort matters with him and his camp, but their efforts are to no avail as of yet.
JJ Gabriel's stats at Manchester United: U18s:38 games31 goals4 assists U21s: 2 games2 goals2 assists UYL:1 game3 goals pic.twitter.com/JZm0js46d5 — utdreport (@utdreport) September 15, 2026
Reacting on The Rest Is Football in recent days, both Richards and Lineker urged Gabriel to proceed with caution, given how quickly the news has hit the mainstream media and made him the centre of attention.
Richards did admit that the forward was an ‘absolutely outrageous’ talent, adding that he ‘looks like he could do anything’.
Lineker echoed the sentiment, hailing Gabriel as ‘prodigiously talented’ and ‘very, very special’.
Thomas Tuchel and Kobbie Mainoo during the World Cup
Michael Carrick looking on
Man Utd star earns ‘shock’ international call-up after World Cup snub