The ‘key reason’ for JJ Gabriel’s exit request at Man Utd revealed | Football

The key reason behind JJ Gabriel’s desire to leave Manchester United has reportedly been revealed.

It has proven a nightmare few days for United on the pitch, with Michael Carrick’s team dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton before scraping a 1-1 draw with win-less Fulham on Sunday.

But they are also dealing with a crisis off it after 15-year-old Gabriel asked the club to cancel his contract.

The teenager, considered one of the best up and coming talents in the world, has not reported for training at Carrington since the request was made.

The Red Devils have no intention of letting Gabriel go and are hopeful of resolving the situation, but Premier League rivals and European giants are lining up to poach the wonderkid.

Real Madrid have been working on a deal for the forward for months, while in the last few days, Gabriel and his family flew to Barcelona to hold initial talks, which included meeting fellow teenage superstar Lamine Yamal.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG are also interested in the prodigy.

It was said that the transfer request came after Gabriel was not included in the squad for the Champions League game against minnows Sabah, though Carrick had planned to include him in the team for the cup clash against Brighton.

Now, as reported by the Daily Mail, the driving factor behind the request is the belief that United are no longer the best club to help Gabriel’s development, having declined significantly from the heyday of Sir Alex Ferguson.

‘His dad has ambitions for his son to be the best in the world and play with the best and learn from the best and right now that’s not current situation at United – far from it,’ a source close the family said.

Additionally, it is reported that Ali Barat, who also represents Arsenal star Piero Hincapie and former Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, is leading the race to become Gabriel’s agent when he turns 16 on October 6.

The saga is unlikely to be resolved over the three-week international break, with Gabriel not called up to any of England’s youth teams amid concerns the teenager is not mentally or physically in the right place.

Carrick and others have repeatedly stated that Gabriel’s well-being should be the top priority for all concerned: ‘He’s a young boy, JJ, and I think it’s important that we certainly don’t play anything out here.

‘I think the exposure and the scrutiny and everything, you’ve got to be careful and be sensible and think of him as much as anything.

‘So the situation will work itself out, whatever way it’s going to work itself out. Making sure he’s okay is the important thing.’

Just how good is JJ Gabriel?

There is good reason for the hype around JJ Gabriel. The teenager is considered to be the most exceptional young talent to progress through United’s youth ranks in recent years and across the game at youth level, he is regarded as the best player in the country born in 2010.

In addition to those Messi comparisons, his ability to effortlessly take the ball on the turn has seen him likened to Phil Foden, who progressed through the youth academy over the way at Manchester City.

Under the guidance of United’s Under-18 boss Darren Fletcher, he has developed into a lethal goal scorer, with the skill and variety in his finishing heightening the expectation around him.

Football is littered with stories of unique talents failing to make the step up to men’s football with some of United’s brightest young talents failing to make the grade. Angel Gomes, who currently holds the record of United’s youngest Premier League player in history, has carved out a decent career for himself in France having also been recognised at international level, but made just 10 more appearances for United after his debut. Shola Shoretire, the youngest player to represent the club in European competition, is currently playing for Greek outfit PAOK.

But the situation with Gabriel has felt very different. United hope the situation can still be rectified – but no matter how enormous the talent, the club cannot be seen being held to ransom by a schoolboy – or whoever is making decisions on his behalf.

Barcelona’s interest in him has already been well-documented and the teenager holds an Irish passport through his dad, former Republic of Ireland international Joe O’Cearuill, meaning any move abroad would be free of any Brexit red tape.

Tony Mogan, live sports editor

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