A 15-year-old asks to leave
Manchester United have been hit from within their own academy. JJ Gabriel, 15, has asked to leave the club. The news broke on Tuesday, less than 24 hours before a moment that was supposed to mark his first steps into the pro game.
The forward was due to be included in a senior matchday squad for the first time on Wednesday, for the League Cup tie against Brighton. A source close to the situation says United do not understand why he has made this request and still hope to turn things around.
The club has not made any official comment.
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A prospect already causing a stir in England
The numbers tell you why. Named United academy player of the year last season, Gabriel was also voted Premier League U18 player of the season after scoring 20 goals in just 21 appearances. That kind of return is rare, even at a club used to producing early bloomers.
He picked up where he left off this season, scoring a hat-trick on his Youth League debut against Sabah.
Last week, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand devoted part of their podcast to the teenager. “He uses both feet, it’s ridiculous, he takes one touch and he hits it. So small, so slight, and he doesn’t let anyone get near him,” Ferdinand said. Giggs described him as a “generational talent”. The two former players spoke before the transfer request became public.
United’s academy model under pressure
This goes to the heart of what the club says it stands for. Manchester United built their reputation on bringing through young players, from Giggs to David Beckham and then Marcus Rashford. Giggs also said Gabriel was at “the best club” to keep moving up the ladder, “given the history of the young players who have come through there and the way they are looked after”.
The fight for the best young talent in Europe has never been fiercer. At 15, a player is still not tied down by a professional contract, which leaves the club that developed him with very little control.
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