Manchester United midfielder JJ Gabriel remains in transfer limbo as Bayern Munich have yet to submit an offer, while Gary Neville has urged manager Michael Carrick to alter his midfield plans.
Bayern Munich yet to make offer for Gabriel
Bayern Munich are interested in signing JJ Gabriel after reportedly entering talks with the teenager, but the Bundesliga club has not yet made an offer as the January transfer window approaches. According to Sky Sport in Germany, Bayern want a commitment from the player before proceeding.
Gabriel, who turned 16 this month, is reportedly considering a move to Spain, with Barcelona and Real Madrid also said to be interested. The player and his entourage are seeking a way to leave Old Trafford, and United have reportedly rejected his request to be deregistered from the club to complete a move elsewhere.
Much depends on Gabriel obtaining a European Union passport for an EU work permit. He is pursuing a Cypriot passport and also has a chance of obtaining Irish credentials. United are said to be eager to retain the starlet despite a breakdown between the club and the player, reportedly stemming from Gabriel's team demanding greater first-team minutes guarantees that were ignored.
Neville calls for midfield change
Following United's 1-1 draw with Tottenham on Saturday, Gary Neville has urged Carrick to abandon the midfield pairing of Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans. Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, he said: "[The team is] not running enough, they're not showing enough tenacity, determination and fighting spirit. The boos tell you they are really despondent with what they are watching."
Neville added: "Tielemans and Mainoo, I think we’ve seen enough of it now. Not calling time on it, that’s probably too drastic. But I’ve seen enough of it to think, ‘That’s not dynamic enough to play at this football club in the Premier League'. They’re both good players, by the way. But sometimes they don’t knit together or suit together, when Baleba came on that looked like a lot more energy. But the rest of them will have to get a grip."
Mainoo lost possession five times at Old Trafford on Saturday, more than any other player on the pitch, while Tielemans completed just 81 per cent of his passes. Carlos Baleba impressed off the bench after overcoming an injury to make his club debut against Spurs, and could be handed a more prominent role. Fellow summer signing Andrey Santos was an unused substitute against Tottenham, as was Mason Mount.
United face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, with the club enduring its worst start to a league campaign in 40 years.
