JJ Gabriel remains on the market despite his name appearing in Manchester United's squad picture for the 2026/27 campaign. According to Sky Sports News, the photograph was taken on September 8, at a time when the 16‑year‑old was still officially a United player and was expected to feature for the senior side that season.
Only a few days later, Gabriel and his family submitted a formal request to terminate his stay at the club. The youngster is still registered with United, and the outlet says the club has made several attempts to resolve the dispute with Gabriel and his parents, emphasizing a duty of care given his tender age.
Those efforts, however, have not produced any breakthrough. Interest in the prodigious attacker has surged across Europe. Representatives from Barcelona and Real Madrid have already entered talks with his camp, while Paris Saint‑Germain and Bayern Munich have also expressed a desire to sign him.
United maintains that it has done everything possible to lay out a clear route to first‑team football for Gabriel while safeguarding his long‑term growth. One of the signals United sent was the inclusion of his name in the first‑team squad photo released on Monday – a visual cue that manager Michael Carrick intended to involve him in his plans for the season. Additionally, the club allowed Gabriel to train with the senior squad during pre‑season and even gave him his debut in a friendly against Atletico Madrid.
Nevertheless, Gabriel and his family argue that a handful of minutes off the bench in that friendly was insufficient. They are seeking a more substantial role, wanting him to receive at least 20 minutes in high‑profile fixtures such as the Champions League tie against Sabah, the FA Cup clash with Brighton, and the Premier League encounter with Bournemouth scheduled for October 25. Those requests came before any negotiations on a scholarship contract that would lock the teenager into United's future. Because Gabriel was not placed on United's A‑list, he was ineligible for the first‑team match against Sabah and instead featured in the UEFA Youth League, where he netted a hat‑trick.
Now that he has turned 16, he will automatically move to the club's B‑list, making him eligible for senior matchday squads moving forward. His family believes this milestone should have been the moment United gave him a genuine chance at first‑team action. There is also speculation that a FIFA loophole could enable Gabriel to leave United after his 16th birthday if he secures a European passport through one of his parents.
This possibility has fueled rumors that he could join another European side without a transfer fee, a scenario United is reportedly prepared to contest legally if it materialises. Since the dispute arose, Gabriel has not trained with United again. Sources within the club suggest the friction stems from the family's ambition to chase historic records and the club's focus on protecting the player's developmental trajectory. To date, no direct contact between United and any prospective buying club has been reported.
In summary, while JJ Gabriel remains on United's books, the relationship between the teenager and the Red Devils has become strained. The club still believes it offers the optimal environment for his growth, but the likelihood of him ever wearing the Manchester United shirt again appears slim, given the intense interest from some of Europe's most prestigious clubs. Sky Sports News has reached out to Gabriel's family for comment.