Manchester United have endured a difficult start to the season, with the club also facing uncertainty behind the scenes as JJ Gabriel pushes to leave.
JJ Gabriel has asked to leave Manchester United.
JJ Gabriel has asked to leave Manchester United. (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United have endured a challenging opening to the campaign, securing victory in just one of their first five fixtures. Michael Carrick's team fell to a 1-0 defeat against local rivals Manchester City last weekend, while the season kicked off with an unexpected 2-0 loss against newly-promoted Hull.
The Red Devils also exited the Carabao Cup to Brighton, surrendering a two-goal lead in a 3-2 defeat. Matters haven't been significantly smoother off the field either. Academy wonderkid JJ Gabriel is now seeking to depart the club amidst mounting uncertainty behind the scenes. Here, Express Sport has taken a look at the latest developments coming out of Old Trafford...
Michael Carrick appears to have delivered an indirect message to unsettled youngster JJ Gabriel after academy product Shea Lacey scored his maiden goal for Manchester United against Brighton on Wednesday. Lacey, 19, began on the right flank and broke the deadlock after merely seven minutes, cutting inside before drilling the ball into the net with his left foot.
The teenager represents the latest United academy product to make an immediate impact at senior level, with Carrick swift to acknowledge the significance of his accomplishment.
"I'm delighted for him," he said. "The way the game pans out and the finish of the game and the result, I think it takes it away a little bit but, when the dust settles and he can have a moment, I think he can be very proud of himself because it was a big moment for him."
Carrick then seemed to suggest the significance of United's emerging talent when addressing who could follow Lacey into senior contention.
He replied: "So many people in the academy work so hard and it's what this club has been built upon. So Shea's had that moment... and we'll see who brings it on to having the next opportunity because we always look forward to the next one."
Gabriel had originally been expected to feature in the matchday squad against Brighton but was eventually omitted. The 15-year-old made his senior bow in a pre-season encounter against Atletico Madrid in August, appearing for just eight minutes, and hasn't been involved with the first team since.
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Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has spoken about JJ Gabriel. (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard addressed the ongoing situation surrounding JJ Gabriel ahead of Saturday afternoon's lunchtime clash between Tottenham and Aston Villa. Gerrard highlighted United's distinguished history of nurturing young talent, maintaining that Old Trafford represents an excellent setting for Gabriel's development.
"I don't know what's been said or promised behind the scenes, but from the outside this stinks to me that someone is forcing it and pushing it and rushing it. And I don't think it's going to help the kid in any way shape or form," Gerrard said on TNT Sports.
"It scares me that kids can be rushed or careers can be forced. I don't know the details with JJ Gabriel, but if you look at it all, he's at one of the biggest clubs in the world. They have a history and a tradition of producing fantastic players... when they feel like he's ready, they'll play him.
"These talents, they have parents, they have agents and they outside influencers that force and they push too soon... and it can affect the kid's career."
Chelsea icon Joe Cole echoed Gerrard's reservations, commenting: "He's at a fantastic club with a great reputation of bringing players through. They develop, they look after players. Behind the scenes, the advisors... why would you want to leave that club when he's clearly wanted and clearly they want to help him push on."