Agbonlahor warns United face huge loss as Gabriel, 15, pushes for Real Madrid move

Manchester United are at risk of losing 15-year-old forward JJ Gabriel after the teenager requested to leave Old Trafford, with Barcelona and Real Madrid among the clubs linked with a move for the highly-rated prospect.

Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor described the potential departure as a significant loss for United, but conceded that interest from Real Madrid changes the calculus. “Unless you’re going to Real Madrid — then I get it,” Agbonlahor said. “I just don’t know why a 15-year-old kid would leave Manchester United.”

Gabriel holds an EU passport, which means United could receive only limited compensation if he moves to a club on the European mainland once he turns 16 in October. The club remain hopeful of keeping him, but he was notably absent from the squad that faced Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday — a match in which he could have become the youngest player ever to appear for United’s first team.

Agbonlahor questioned whether the push to leave was coming from those around the player rather than Gabriel himself. “Is that coming from parents or agents? Something doesn’t add up,” he said. “I’ve seen him play. I’ve seen clips and he’s very sharp, can score all sorts of goals, from distance as well. The club love him — what are the reasons why he’d want to leave?”

United manager Michael Carrick addressed the situation after the Brighton defeat, urging caution given the player’s age. “He’s a young boy, he’s 15, and for me, definitely from a club point of view, is looking after our younger players, their welfare, their well-being, their exposure,” Carrick said. “I think we’ve got to be really conscious of that in this situation.”

Gabriel’s case highlights the ongoing challenge Premier League academies face in retaining elite young talent when Europe’s biggest clubs come calling, particularly when EU passport rules limit the financial protection available to English sides.