Rio Ferdinand is adamant JJ Gabriel is ‘going to the top’ of the sport but says Manchester United cannot be ‘bullied’ by the wantaway 15-year-old.
Gabriel’s team informed United bosses earlier in the month that he wanted to leave Old Trafford. The forward joined Manchester United’s academy four years ago and quickly established himself as one of the most highly-rated youngsters at the club, featuring for the U18 side at the age of just 14.
Gabriel trained with the United first team last year and played under Michael Carrick during the club’s pre-season camp.
Ferdinand on Gabriel's potential
Manchester United legend Ferdinand has been aware of Gabriel’s potential for some time and says his ceiling is ‘crazy’. As a result Ferdinand naturally wants Gabriel to stay at Old Trafford but says the club must ‘remain strong’ even if that means allowing him to leave.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have held talks with Gabriel’s representatives, while PSG and Bayern Munich are also interested in securing his signature.
‘First and foremost, what a talent this kid is,’ six-time Premier League winner Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel. ‘It’s crazy.
‘I don’t know where this kid’s ceiling is. I’ve seen him play, I’ve seen him train, I’ve listened to people who have coached him for a number of years and there’s no doubt this kid is going to the top.
United must remain strong
‘I think we need to understand the reasons why he wants to leave the club. It’s not a 15-year-old making this call on his own, his family may have their reasons why.
‘Are they being impatient, are they thinking he should have got minutes already, were they promised stuff and now they’re disgruntled?
‘I remember watching him in training and he was doing shooting drills with Bruno Fernandes. That’s the PFA Player of the Year and one of the best midfielders in the world.
‘At 15-years-old that would have been enough for me. But maybe he’s got aspirations and wants to be playing already.
‘But Manchester United can’t be seen to be bullied by a 15-year-old, no matter how good he is. So whatever the outcome, Manchester United have to remain strong in this.
‘There will be other kids using this as a reference point so you can’t be seen to be weak as a football club. But, I reiterate, I don’t know the full facts and I would love to.’
United's poor start
Manchester United are 12th in the Premier League after an underwhelming start to the season, winning just two of their first seven games in all competitions.
United’s first game after the international break is a home match against fellow strugglers Tottenham, who are still searching for their first win of the season.
