JJ Gabriel of Manchester United U21 in action during the Premier League 2 match between Manchester U
JJ Gabriel is set to leave Manchester United. (Image: Getty Images)
JJ Gabriel reportedly wants to leave Manchester United after concerns were raised by his family that the Red Devils have slipped behind their competitors, causing them to believe that the 15-year-old's future would be better suited elsewhere. Gabriel has starred for United's academy but dropped a bombshell by saying he wanted to be deregistered before his 16th birthday.
Gabriel is yet to sign professional terms at Old Trafford, despite impressing Michael Carrick with his displays for the youth teams. He hasn't made his debut for the club, despite being scheduled to feature in recent matches, after ignoring pleas from football icons to stay at the club he has represented since the age of 11.
He's seeking deregistration to enable a transfer to another side, with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea all monitoring his situation.
United have been taken aback by Gabriel's shift in stance, which followed his omission from the squad for the recent 4-0 victory against Sabah in the Champions League, as well as their 3-2 loss to Brighton in the Carabao Cup.
The club remains hopeful of retaining the gifted prospect, though rival clubs and agents are also hovering, eager to represent the teenager, who celebrates his 16th birthday on October 6.
The Daily Mail claim that United being 'far away' from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern, Arsenal and Manchester City forms part of the rationale behind the push for departure. Gabriel's family desire him to 'learn from the best' by joining a superior team.
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United haven't won the Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013 and currently find themselves 12th in the table following Sunday's 1-1 draw against Fulham. They've secured victory in just one of their five league fixtures this campaign and have already exited the Carabao Cup.
JJ Gabriel
JJ Gabriel wants to join a rival club. (Image: Getty Images)
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Should he remain in Britain, Gabriel is understood to favour Chelsea, despite having to delay joining the Blues until January following their nine-month ban on registering new academy players imposed in March.
Nevertheless, he's also conducted discussions with Barcelona and Real Madrid and would be permitted to feature in Spain courtesy of his Irish EU passport.
He's requested that United terminate his existing contract, which concludes at the end of the season. They've declined to do so, though it appears highly unlikely he'll sign a scholarship agreement when he reaches 16 next month, potentially triggering an acrimonious dispute regarding his future.
Gabriel did appear for Carrick's first team during pre-season and the United manager has encouraged him to stay patient for opportunities in the senior squad.
"I think he's a young boy, JJ, and I think it's important that we certainly don't put anything out here," Carrick said recently. "I think the exposure and the scrutiny and everything that, you got to be careful and be sensible and think of him as much as anything."