Barcelona and Real Madrid chase 15-year-old Gabriel as United fans plan INEOS boycott

Manchester United are scrambling to retain 15-year-old prospect JJ Gabriel more than a week after he expressed his desire to cancel his registration and leave the club with immediate effect, with Barcelona and Real Madrid among the leading clubs pursuing his signature.

Gabriel’s request to depart Old Trafford has left United’s hierarchy stunned, though the club remains hopeful of persuading him to stay. The teenager is understood to favour a move to Spain over approaches from Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, while Chelsea is reported to be his preferred destination should he opt to remain in England.

Despite his determination to leave, Gabriel cannot depart until the end of the season and is not eligible to be deregistered from United’s books. He turns 16 next month, at which point he would become eligible to sign a scholarship agreement with the club — a development that could prove pivotal in determining his future.

Off the pitch, a section of the United fanbase has escalated its frustration with the club’s ownership by calling for a boycott of INEOS-owned businesses and United’s commercial partners. The campaign targets sponsors including Betway, Coca-Cola, Adidas and DHL, reflecting growing discontent with the direction of the club under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s group.

United are not back in competitive action for more than two weeks, with the extended international break pushing their next fixture — a Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur — further down the calendar. That extended pause leaves the Gabriel situation unresolved in the public eye for some time yet, with no indication from either side that a compromise is imminent.