Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel has asked to leave the club, sources have told ESPN.
Gabriel, 15, has formally stated his intention to leave Old Trafford with immediate effect. Sources have told ESPN that club bosses are not clear on Gabriel’s reasons and are surprised by his decision.
Head coach Michael Carrick was planning to include the teenager in the squad to face Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
He made his senior debut during United’s preseason fixtures and scored a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut against Sabah last week.
Sources have told ESPN that United believe the situation is “rectifiable” given Gabriel remains under contract. Club bosses insist he cannot be de-registered.
Gabriel, who doesn’t turn 16 until October, is eligible to sign scholarship forms with clubs next summer.
He was named the Premier League Under-18 player of the season in May and has scored twice for United’s under-21s in Premier League 2 this season.
“JJ is surrounded by people that really, really believe in him from the top of the club right the way through,” Adam Lawrence, United’s professional development phase lead, said of Gabriel last week.
“He’s been at the club for so long. He’s got real good relationships with the players, with the staff, so I think over the course of time obviously that helps as well.
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“At the moment, just in terms of his game, his games programme, his training programme, it’s about making sure that he’s getting the right exposure across different levels.
“We’re obviously not perfect but it’s definitely something we put a lot of thought into, so it’s good to see him enjoying his football in a good place.”
Information from PA contributed to this report.
