Image credit: Action Images/Andrew Boyers
A source close to JJ Gabriel has finally revealed the true reason why the wonderkid wants to leave Manchester United. The bombshell revelation that he wants his registration with the club ripped up emerged just last week.
The 15-year-old has not trained since making that request last weekend, after being left disappointed at not featuring in United's Champions League clash against FK Sabah at Old Trafford.
He had been scheduled to feature in the Red Devils' 3-2 Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Brighton a few days later, but shot himself in the foot by requesting to leave the Old Trafford club immediately.
As things stand, the United hierarchy have no wish to grant his request. And while initial reports suggested his lack of game time compared to other youngsters in the Premier League - namely Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha - was behind his sudden change of heart, a new truth has now emerged.
Why JJ Gabriel is Seeking Immediate Man Utd Exit
Reuters
The key motivation behind the teenager's eagerness to up and leave is because of the dire situation the senior team finds itself in, according to the Daily Mail.
As per the same report, the decline of the first team since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson has played a pivotal role. A source explained:
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Gabriel has been at United since the age of 11, and is considered one of the hottest young prospects in European football. The youngster was set to sign a first-year scholarship at United at the age 16 - which would have automatically triggered a lucrative professional contract on his 17th birthday.
But he asked United to rip up his current deal, which is due to expire at the end of the season, with the Red Devils entering their 13th season without a league title having not won any of their last three matches.
The club have so far refused to give Gabriel what he wants, but he could go to the Premier League or FIFA to force their hand and become a free agent.
Barcelona & Real Madrid Among Potential Suitors
REUTERS/Chris Radburn
Gabriel, along with his family, flew to Barcelona and held talks with the Catalan club, having already spoken to Real Madrid, who have been working on a deal for the United starlet for months.
Currently, the two La Liga giants are the frontrunners for his signature. However, the likes of PSG, Bayern Munich, and Premier League rivals Chelsea are also keen on the starlet. And it's not difficult to see why.
By age nine, Gabriel gained widespread attention after a viral YouTube video earned him the nickname “Kid Messi,” a label he now prefers to move beyond. At 14, he made his debut for the U18s and was promoted by former United boss Ruben Amorim to train with the first team squad as United sought to accelerate his pathway to the top.
Since then, he has continued to make huge strides, earning the U18 Premier League Player of the Season award last term thanks to a free-scoring campaign where he registered 23 goals in as many appearances, featured for the first-team in their 2026/27 pre-season preparations, and bagging a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut in September 2026.