Manchester United are facing a battle to retain one of their most highly rated academy prospects, with 15-year-old striker JJ Gabriel seeking an immediate departure from the club.
Gabriel has formally asked for his registration with United to be cancelled, although the club has the right to challenge the request and is still attempting to find a solution. The forward remains registered with Manchester United until the end of the current season.
Senior figures at Old Trafford have become directly involved in talks with Gabriel’s family. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are understood to be handling discussions as United try to repair the relationship and convince the teenager to remain at the club.
The exact cause of the dispute has not been made public. However, Gabriel did not train with Michael Carrick’s senior squad towards the end of last week amid growing tensions between his family and the club. United are understood to have been surprised by how quickly the situation has escalated.
The uncertainty comes at a significant point in Gabriel’s development. He had been expected to be involved in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Brighton, which could have given him his first competitive appearance for the senior side.
Gabriel already featured for the first team during pre-season, making his senior debut against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm last month. He then underlined his reputation as one of England’s leading young talents by scoring a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut last week.
His progress through United’s academy has been unusually rapid. Despite being only 14 at the start of last season, Gabriel won the Premier League Under-18 Player of the Year award and was also named Manchester United’s Under-18 Player of the Year.
Born in London, the striker announced himself at Under-18 level by scoring twice on his debut at just 14. He later became an important part of the United team that reached both the FA Youth Cup final and the Premier League Under-18 final.
Gabriel was promoted into the club’s Premier League 2 setup this season and continued his rise by producing spectacular goals in each of his opening two appearances.
His age adds another layer to the negotiations. Gabriel does not turn 16 until 6 October, when he becomes eligible to sign a scholarship agreement.
United have therefore not accepted that his departure is inevitable. With one of their most promising academy players potentially available to leave, the club’s hierarchy is continuing discussions in an effort to prevent the teenager’s rapid rise at Old Trafford from ending prematurely.