Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern circle as 15-year-old Gabriel pushes to leave Man Utd

JJ Gabriel, a 15-year-old Manchester United academy prospect, has asked the club to cancel his contract and allow him to leave, with his family citing United’s decline relative to Europe’s top clubs as the primary reason behind the decision.

Gabriel has been at Old Trafford since the age of 11 and attracted widespread attention after featuring for Michael Carrick’s first team during pre-season. Despite that exposure, he was left out of the squad for United’s 4-0 Champions League win over Sabah and their 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton — omissions that appear to have accelerated his desire to move on.

According to the Daily Mail, Gabriel’s family believe United are “far away” from the standards set by Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Manchester City, and want him to “learn from the best” by joining a club competing at the highest level. All four of those European heavyweights are reported to be interested in the teenager, who turns 16 on 6 October.

United have refused Gabriel’s request to be deregistered and have so far declined to tear up his existing deal, which runs until the end of the season. However, the club is understood to accept that it is now highly unlikely he will sign a scholarship contract when he comes of age next month — a scenario that could trigger a protracted dispute over his future.

Were Gabriel to remain in England, Chelsea are reported to be his preferred domestic destination, though he would be unable to join until January due to a nine-month ban on the Blues registering new academy players, imposed in March. Talks have also taken place with Barcelona and Real Madrid; Gabriel holds an Irish passport, granting him EU status and making him eligible to play in Spain.

United legend Ryan Giggs has urged Gabriel to be patient, and Carrick echoed that message in a recent media briefing. “I think he’s a young boy, JJ, and I think it’s important that we certainly don’t put anything out here,” the United manager said. “The exposure and the scrutiny — you’ve got to be careful and be sensible and think of him.”

The backdrop to Gabriel’s discontent is a United side that has not won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. The club currently sit 12th in the table after a 1-1 draw with Fulham, having won just one of their opening five league games this season.