Rooney warns Man Utd that 15-year-old JJ Gabriel's Spain move looks inevitable

Wayne Rooney has suggested that Manchester United’s attempts to retain teenage prodigy JJ Gabriel are likely to fail, with the former England captain believing a move to Spain is the most probable destination for the 15-year-old, who has formally asked to leave the club.

Gabriel’s desire to depart Old Trafford has been an open secret among those close to the situation, according to Rooney, who spoke on the matter publicly for the first time. Talks have already been held with both Barcelona and Real Madrid over a potential transfer, though United retain the right to block the exit — a move that would trigger a tribunal to resolve the impasse.

“I think that anyone close to it knew that was coming,” Rooney said. “In fairness to Manchester United, they’ve done everything, they’ve done absolutely everything to keep him, to keep him at the club. I think it’s been known that there’s been a desire to go and play probably in Spain.”

Rooney drew on his own experience as a standout teenager at Everton — where he received preferential treatment from the club in an effort to secure his future — to explain United’s approach with Gabriel. “The club have treated him probably differently to the other players because he is such a special talent,” he added. “I know, I recognise, I understand that because I was that player at Everton.”

Despite his age, Gabriel’s numbers for United’s youth sides are remarkable. He has scored 29 goals and registered four assists in 32 appearances for the Under-18s, and has also contributed two goals and two assists in just two outings for the Under-21s.

Gabriel had been expected to feature in United’s Carabao Cup squad for the fixture against Brighton before news of his exit request broke, underlining how close he was to first-team consideration.

United manager Michael Carrick moved to protect the youngster from the growing media attention surrounding the situation. “He’s a young boy, JJ, and I think it’s important that we certainly don’t play anything out here,” Carrick said. “The exposure and the scrutiny and everything, you’ve got to be careful and be sensible and think of him as much as anything. The situation will work itself out, whatever way it’s going to work itself out.”

Rooney acknowledged the disappointment of potentially losing one of the academy’s most gifted players but stopped short of ruling out a last-minute change of heart. “It’s just disappointing, of course, because he is such a top player and he’s a lovely kid. You never know whether it’s gone too far and whether there is a chance to stay.”