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Man United need wins after bad week of JJ Gabriel unrest, protests and derby drama

Manchester United endured a turbulent spell beginning Sunday when roughly 500 supporters protested against the owners ahead of the Manchester derby, while a solitary banner condemning their treatment was unveiled in the Stretford End. On the pitch, Michael Carrick's side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City courtesy of an incorrectly allowed Erling Haaland strike, despite United holding a numerical advantage for most of the contest.

While refereeing authorities issued an apology later that evening, team executives sought to immediately pivot toward Wednesday's Carabao Cup encounter with Brighton.

The turmoil intensified on Tuesday when 15-year-old prodigy JJ Gabriel surprisingly asked to depart the club just as he was scheduled for inclusion in the upcoming matchday squad. Director of football Jason Wilcox previously campaigned to retain Gabriel in 2025, facilitating training sessions under Ruben Amorim and Carrick, an August preseason debut against Atletico Madrid, and a swift jump to the Under-21 squad.