Gabriel turns 16 with Barcelona training hint and United deadline looming over his future

Manchester United are racing to resolve the future of academy prodigy JJ Gabriel before the attacking midfielder turns 16 on Tuesday — a birthday that could open the door to a move abroad.

Gabriel made headlines last month when he requested United cancel his registration, a move the club refused. The 15-year-old had been widely tipped for a first-team breakthrough under Michael Carrick after scoring 26 goals in 29 games last season and winning the U18 Premier League Player of the Season award. He featured for Carrick’s side during pre-season but was left out of the squad for a Carabao Cup fixture against Brighton following his departure request.

Carrick has been measured in his public comments on the situation. “I’ll just repeat what I said: he’s a young boy, it’s important we don’t put anything out here, the exposure and scrutiny we have to be careful,” the United manager said. “We have to be sensible and think about him. The situation will work itself out.”

Gabriel has not trained at United’s Carrington base since submitting his request to leave. Instead, he has been working in Castelldefels, near Barcelona, with his private coach Jack Hunter and other specialist coaches — a development that has intensified speculation over a move to the Catalan club. His family are reported to be keen on a switch to Barcelona, while Real Madrid are also said to be monitoring the situation.

On the social media front, Gabriel had wiped his Instagram account of all posts in September, shortly before his transfer request became public. He subsequently reversed course, restoring three posts — two showing him signing Nike deals in 2021 and 2025, the latter described as a long-term contract, and a third showing him receiving his U18 Player of the Season award alongside Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer.

The significance of Tuesday’s birthday lies in the rules governing the international transfer of young players. As an England U17 international who also holds a European passport, Gabriel may be eligible to join a club abroad once he turns 16, potentially giving him and his family greater leverage in any negotiations with United.

The Red Devils are understood to be working against that deadline to find a resolution, though the exact terms of any potential agreement — or the conditions under which Gabriel might remain at Old Trafford — have not been disclosed.