Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel is moving closer to an exit from the club after his camp submitted a request to leave last month. The teenager has not reported to Carrington since.
Gabriel's representatives wanted the 15-year-old to be given at least 20 minutes in United's games against Sabah, Brighton and Bournemouth before opening talks over a scholarship deal. They wanted him to make his first-team debut against Sabah in the Champions League, but he was not included in the squad United submitted to UEFA. They also wanted him to feature against Brighton in the Carabao Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League.
United's debut plan and broken promises
United planned to give Gabriel his debut against Brighton, but his camp submitted a request to leave before that game. Had he played that night, he would have become the youngest player in United's history.
The teenager is set to celebrate his 16th birthday on Tuesday and could have signed a pre-contract agreement with United, but his camp has decided his future lies elsewhere due to what they perceive as broken promises over game time.
Pre-season debut and interest from Spain
Michael Carrick handed Gabriel his pre-season senior debut against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm, but the youngster did not play a single minute in any other friendly over the remainder of the summer. United have checked in on Gabriel's well-being since his camp requested that he leave the club.
Carrick said when asked about the situation last month: "I just think we've got to be really careful of the whole situation, you know. He's a young boy, he's 15, and for me, definitely, and from a club point of view, is looking after our younger players, their welfare, their well-being, their exposure, and I think we've got to be really, all of us, I think we've got to be really conscious of that, really, in this situation."
Expected departure and legal consideration
Gabriel has trained in Barcelona with an individual coach over the last three weeks. Real Madrid and Barcelona have held talks to sign the youngster, and United are considering taking legal action if he departs. United were initially hopeful a resolution could be found, but Gabriel is expected to leave the club.
