Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel has asked to leave the club in a shock move.
The 15-year-old was recently labelled a ‘generational talent’ by Man United legend Ryan Giggs, who urged the club to keep him around.
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However, just five days after scoring a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut for the Red Devils’ U19s, he wants to quit.
The teenage sensation, dubbed the ‘Kid Messi’, has sent a formal notice to cancel his registration with the club.
He wants to become a free agent, with Man United unclear on what has prompted the surprise decision.
talkSPORT understands that the club are still confident of resolving the issue, but that the young star is pushing to leave as soon as possible for a new challenge.
Nothing is formally lined up, but it’s understood that Gabriel has two Premier League teams interested, with talkSPORT reporting last month that Chelsea have been eyeing him.
Spanish and German sides are also understood to be interested, with Barcelona very keen on bringing him to La Liga.
Gabriel was set to be included in Michael Carrick’s first-team squad for their Carabao Cup tie against Brighton on Wednesday, which will be live on talkSPORT.
He is yet to play a competitive game for United’s senior team, but did feature during pre-season this summer.
Can Gabriel’s registration be cancelled?
Gabriel may want to have his registration scrapped at Man United, but is that something that is possible?
It’s understood that United are not able to de-register the youngster, who has a contract until next summer, but rules state that the Premier League can step in if needed.
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Premier League rules state: “During your child’s registration period, their registration may only be cancelled if everyone agrees (the club, player and their parent/carer).
“If the parties don’t agree, then any person involved can also ask the Premier League to provide a binding decision on a termination request.”
‘A real kick in the face’ for Man United
talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook discussed the shock news regarding Gabriel with Hawksbee and Jacobs.
And he said: “This is not a massive surprise to me…the messaging coming out of United was that they were confident of securing his future despite whispers coming from Chelsea. Also, clubs on the continent, Arsenal, Manchester City as well.
“Now we hear that he’s asked to leave…and if he were to leave, it would raise questions again of how the club is being run.
“You look at the history of Man United, the DNA, it’s all about the young, homegrown talent bursting into the first team.
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“If one of their own decides that his future is better served, particularly somewhere like Chelsea, that’s a real kick in the face.”
Crook added: “You think not just about the patience of it, but the people around him and how much of this is being led by JJ Gabriel’s advisors, his family, and how much is his own doing.
“What he did do, and this is quite common now, is he deleted all reference of Man United on his social media, so I suppose the writing was on the wall.”
Jeopardising history
As mentioned, Gabriel was set to be named in Carrick’s side for their Carabao Cup third-round tie against Brighton.
But his inclusion will now be thrown into major doubt following the bombshell news that he wants to leave.
He has the chance to become the Red Devils’ youngest-ever player by appearing in the clash at Old Trafford.
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Gabriel would take that title off goalkeeper David Gaskell holds the record after playing his first game aged 16 years and 19 days.
The forward had made history already last week with his hat-trick against Sabah on his Youth League debut.
At 15 years and 339 days old, he became the youngest ever goalscorer for the club in the competition, overtaking Angel Gomes, who netted in the competition aged 17 and 34 days old.
Gabriel has been at Man United since he was 11, working his way through the ranks at a rapid pace.
He scored 29 goals in 32 games for United’s U18s and has gone on to score two in two for the U21s after stepping up a level.
