JJ Gabriel, 15, Seeks Manchester United Exit as Broken Promises Sour Talks
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Sep 16
JJ Gabriel, 15, Seeks Manchester United Exit as Broken Promises Sour Talks
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Sep 16
Summary
Manchester United are trying to stop 15-year-old JJ Gabriel from leaving after relations collapsed just days before a planned push toward a first-team debut.
Broken assurances over his career path and limited senior chances appear central: Gabriel played only 8 minutes in pre-season, was unused on some trips and was not registered for a recent Champions League game he might have featured in.
Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox are involved in talks, but trust is described as low and sources close to Gabriel reject criticism of his attitude after a backlash against him and his family.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG are monitoring the situation, and Gabriel's EU passport could let him move abroad when he turns 16 on Oct. 6.
That leaves United facing a worst-case outcome of losing an academy forward who scored 23 Under-18 league goals last season for little or no compensation.