(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
JJ Gabriel’s Manchester United career looks as good as done before it’s even properly begun.
After the 15-year-old flew in to Catalonia to hold talks with Barcelona chiefs on Friday, Spanish outlet AS claimed: “His time at Old Trafford is over.”
JJ Gabriel: The state of play
DUBLIN, IRELAND - AUGUST 12: Joseph Junior Andreou 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. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
It’s a situation that the Red Devils are actively trying to avoid, as they are keen on keeping the highly-rated wonderkid in their ranks long-term.
However, it seems as though Gabriel’s mind is already made up, with the supposed final straw coming after he watched fellow academy prospects Harry Amass and Shea Lacey, both of whom are 19, make their Champions League debuts during last week’s win over Sabah.
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
Remarkably, he was in line to make his first-team debut less than a week later in United’s Carabao Cup opener against Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday night, but after refusing to train in the days leading up to the tie, he ruled himself out of any involvement.
Who is interested in signing wantaway Gabriel?
(Photo via club media)
Although Gabriel – hailed as ‘prodigiously talented’ and ‘very special’ by Gary Lineker – and his camp have now met with Barcelona face-to-face, he is actually in line to join Real Madrid over any other suitor.
“Who thinks that's good for the kid?” 😠 Where do you stand on the JJ Gabriel situation at Manchester United? 🤔#jjgabriel #manchesterunited #united #sticktofootball #theoverlap pic.twitter.com/EUIdwVZFRD — The Overlap (@WeAreTheOverlap) September 17, 2026
They are leading the race to land his signature in the coming weeks, so he will presumably also make the journey to the Spanish capital to hear their proposal after Barcelona’s.
In England, Arsenal, Chelsea and even Manchester City are all open to offering Gabriel the chance to stay and eventually play a role in the Premier League.
Read more: United predicted XI vs Fulham after Michael Carrick issues double injury update on Friday afternoon
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MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 08: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid looks on before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 08, 2026 in Madrid, Spain.
Micah Richards and Gary Lineker
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