JJ Gabriel remains on the books at Manchester United, even though his future appears to be heading elsewhere. The young forward was still listed in the club’s official squad photograph for the 2026/27 campaign when the picture was taken on September 8, a time when United still expected him to take part in first‑team activities during the season. Within a few days of that photo shoot, Gabriel and his parents formally submitted a request to leave the club.
According to Sky Sports News, Gabriel is still registered as a United player, and the club has reportedly made several attempts to resolve the dispute with the 15‑year‑old and his family. United has cited a duty of care for such a young talent as a key factor in its negotiations, yet no agreement has been reached.
Interest in Gabriel has surged across Europe. Representatives from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint‑Germain and Bayern Munich have all been in contact with his camp, indicating that the teenager is on the radar of the continent’s most prestigious clubs.
From United’s point of view, the organization believes it has done everything possible to illustrate a clear route to the senior side while safeguarding Gabriel’s long‑term development. One of the ways United tried to demonstrate its commitment was by featuring Gabriel in the first‑team squad photo released on Monday, signalling that manager Michael Carrick intended to involve him in the upcoming season. The club also gave the youngster a taste of senior football by allowing him to train with the first team during pre‑season and by granting him a debut in a friendly against Atlético Madrid. However, Gabriel and his family felt that the exposure was insufficient.
In the friendly, the teenager only received eight to nine minutes off the bench, which they deemed far too little for a player of his potential. Their dissatisfaction grew after Gabriel failed to rejoin the academy squad at the start of pre‑season as originally scheduled. While the U21 side returned to Carrington a week before the senior squad, Gabriel’s family insisted that he should be training exclusively with the first team and withdrew him from the U21 program. Sky Sports News reports that United devised an individual development plan for Gabriel, overseen by first‑team coaches as well as the club’s medical and performance departments.
These specialists reportedly engaged regularly with both the player and his family to ensure that he received the support they believed he deserved. Internally, the relationship was described as harmonious, but a key point of contention remained: the amount of playing time Gabriel would be allocated at the start of the campaign. The family’s demands became explicit when they asked that the 15‑year‑old be given at least 20 minutes in three separate fixtures – against Sabah in the Champions League, Brighton in the FA Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League on October 25.
These requests were made before any negotiations concerning a scholarship contract that would lock Gabriel into a longer‑term deal with United. When the Champions League tie against Sabah arrived, Gabriel was ineligible because he had not been placed on United’s A‑list.
Instead, he featured for the club’s youth side in the UEFA Youth League on the same day and produced a hat‑trick. Under UEFA rules, Gabriel will automatically move to United’s B‑list when he turns 16 on October 6, making him eligible for senior match‑day squads thereafter.
His family believes that this milestone should have been the moment United gave him a substantive role in the first team. Since that episode, Gabriel has not returned to training with United. Sources within the club suggest that the tension stems from a clash of objectives: the family wishes to chase historic records and fast‑track the teenager’s rise, while United is intent on protecting his development by managing his workload and exposure.
To date, no formal contact has been made between United and any other club regarding Gabriel’s availability. Sky Sports News indicates that if a European side attempts to sign him by exploiting a FIFA loophole, United is prepared to pursue legal action to defend its interests. It is widely speculated that the family’s shift in attitude around the Sabah match may have been influenced by promises from outside parties – possibly another club or an agent acting on their behalf.
Despite the strained relationship, United officials continue to assert that the club remains the optimal environment for Gabriel’s growth and that they are still committed to his individual development plan. Nevertheless, many observers now consider it unlikely that Gabriel will ever don a Manchester United shirt again, given the intense interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
The teenager remains officially a United player, but the fractured rapport between the two parties suggests a departure is imminent. Sky Sports News has reached out to Gabriel’s family for comment but has not yet received a response. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1 million! Enter for free.