Revealed: Key reason JJ Gabriel is determined to leave Man United – with 15-year-old wantaway’s family keen for starlet to ‘learn from the best’
Manchester United falling behind the heavyweights of European football is the driving force behind JJ Gabriel’s desire to leave the club, Daily Mail Sport can reveal.
United have been rocked by the stunning request last week from Gabriel’s family to cancel his contract with immediate effect, something United sources insist they have no desire to do.
The 15-year-old has not trained since that request was made last weekend, brought on by disappointment at not featuring in United’s Champions League clash against FK Sabah at Old Trafford.
Gabriel, along with his family, flew to Barcelona and held talks with the Catalan club, having already spoken to Real Madrid, who have been working on a deal for the United starlet for months.
Daily Mail Sport understands that the decline of United since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson has been the driving force behind Gabriel’s family seeking an exit. United have not won a Premier League title since 2013.
A source close to the family explained that United are ‘far away’ from the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, as well as domestic rivals Arsenal and Manchester City, and that they want him to ‘learn from the best’ to maximise his talents.
Daily Mail Sport can reveal the key motivation behind JJ Gabriel’s wish to leave Man United
The decline of the first team since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson has played a pivotal role
‘His dad has ambitions for his son to be the best in the world and play with the best and learn from the best and right now that’s not current situation at United – far from it,’ a source explained.
As well as Europe’s elite all chasing Gabriel’s signature, the same is true of agents desperate to represent the teenager.
Daily Mail Sport understands that super-agent Ali Barat is the family’s preferred choice, although other leading agents are also in the mix. Gabriel can get official representation when he turns 16 on October 6.
This has been one of the most talked about stories of the season so far, focusing on a player that has never turned out at first team level.
Gabriel has been at United since the age of 11, and is considered one of the hottest young prospects in European football.
The youngster was set to sign a first-year scholarship at United at the age 16 – which would have automatically triggered a lucrative professional contract on his 17th birthday – and could even have made a first-team debut against Brighton in the Carabao Cup last Wednesday.
But he asked United to rip up his current deal which is due to expire at the end of the season. The club have so far refused to do so, but he could go to the Premier League or FIFA to force their hand and become a free agent.
He has not been seen at the club since he scored a hat-trick for the Under-21s on his UEFA Youth League debut against Sabah last week.
Gabriel is rightly considered as one of the finest academy players at any club across Europe
United boss Michael Carrick said at his press conference on Friday that the youngster’s wellbeing remains paramount regardless of his future at Old Trafford.
‘I think I’d just repeat what I said the other day, really,’ said Carrick. ‘He’s a young boy, JJ, and I think it’s important that we certainly don’t play anything out here.
‘I think the exposure and the scrutiny and everything, you’ve got to be careful and be sensible and think of him as much as anything.
‘So the situation will work itself out, whatever way it’s going to work itself out. Making sure he’s okay is the important thing.’
