Manchester United weigh legal action as 15-year-old JJ Gabriel edges closer to Barcelona or Real Madrid

Manchester United are weighing up legal and regulatory action to protect their interests if 15-year-old midfielder JJ Gabriel completes a move abroad, with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich all circling the teenager.

Gabriel, born in 2010, has informed United he wishes to cancel his registration with immediate effect and become a free agent. The club were caught off guard by the request — Gabriel had been set to feature in the Carabao Cup squad for last month’s tie against Brighton, a match in which he would have become United’s youngest-ever player, surpassing David Gaskell’s record of 16 years and 19 days set in 1956.

United maintain the situation can still be resolved, noting that Gabriel cannot be de-registered unless all parties agree. However, once he turns 16 next week, he will be eligible to negotiate a move abroad, a process made easier by the fact he holds an Irish passport. Should he leave for a foreign club, United would be entitled to only a modest compensation fee — a prospect that has prompted the club to explore whether regulatory or legal routes could be pursued against anyone who brokers his departure.

Gabriel’s agent, Ali Barat of Epic Sports, received FA authorisation to represent minors after the midfielder’s desire to leave emerged. The agency has previous experience in high-profile moves, having facilitated Denzel Dumfries’ transfer to Real Madrid and Nicolas Jackson’s switch to Aston Villa last summer. Talks with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have since been arranged on Gabriel’s behalf.

The England Under-17 international has been training abroad this week, returning to the Barcelona academy where he spent time before pre-season — a signal, sources suggest, of where his preference lies.

Former United captain Michael Carrick, asked about the situation last month, urged restraint. “He’s a young boy — it’s important we don’t put anything out here,” Carrick said. “The exposure and scrutiny we have to be careful about. We have to be sensible and think about him. The situation will work itself out.”

Gabriel’s last appearance for the club came in a 5-0 UEFA Youth League victory over Sabah last month. Whether it proves to be his last in a United shirt may be decided within days.