Manchester United face unexpected turmoil in their youth ranks after 15-year-old sensation JJ Gabriel formally notified the team that he wants his registration terminated straight away to secure free agency. Team officials are reportedly baffled by the youngster's sudden push to depart, which follows his recent wiping of all club references from his Instagram page.
Gabriel, who came to United when he was 11, enjoyed a breakout campaign last term where he found the net over 20 times for the under-18 squad and became the youngest recipient ever of the prestigious Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year accolade. Although Michael Carrick gave the prodigy senior minutes over the summer against Atletico Madrid as a substitute for Bryan Mbeumo, the winger has now been dropped from Wednesday's Carabao Cup fixture with Brighton.
United do not view the relationship as permanently broken and remain eager to smooth over the rift. Under Premier League regulations, terminating a youth contract requires mutual consent between the player, their guardians, and the side, with the league possessing final authority if talks stall.
Gabriel, who has drawn eyes from Manchester City, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid, cannot legally ink a scholarship until his 16th birthday on October 6, nor can he sign full professional terms prior to turning 17.
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