17 Sept 2026 10:51 BST |
4 min read
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Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has confirmed that he is involved in discussions regarding the future of JJ Gabriel after the highly-rated 15-year-old requested to leave the club.
Gabriel is regarded as one of the best prospects in world football and Man Utd have tried desperately to prove that a first-team pathway exists in recent years, but their efforts have been in vain.
The England U16 international, who scored a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut last week, was expected to be handed a senior debut during Man Utd’s Carabao Cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday, but he wasn’t included in the matchday squad after formally asking the club to terminate his contract with immediate effect.
Real Madrid are among the clubs pushing to sign Gabriel, with the 15-year-old eager for Man Utd to cancel his registration in order for him to become a free agent before deciding his next move.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his side’s 3-2 defeat to Brighton on Wednesday night, Carrick said: “We have to be a little bit careful on that one. He’s a 15-year-old boy. It’s more about the welfare, the care and the attention of JJ as a child really.
“He’s certainly a young man. The situation is what it is, but we have to be careful about the exposure and how much we jump on that.”
When he was asked if he is involved in talks around Gabriel’s future, Carrick admitted: “As a club, for sure, we’re all involved in those conversations. I just think we’ve got to be very careful of that.”
Who will JJ Gabriel join?
Gabriel, who was born as Joseph Junior Andreou O’Cearuill before his father changed his name in order to improve his marketability, has unsurprisingly attracted suitors from across Europe and while he is an England youth international, he will be able to join an overseas team thanks to his Irish passport.
Widespread reports have confirmed that Real Madrid are pushing to sign him for their Castilla side, with Gabriel eager to explore a potential move to Los Blancos. Fellow European giants Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have also been heavily linked with the Man Utd starlet, who is on the radar of Arsenal and Chelsea too.
Gabriel scored 23 goals in 23 games in the U18 Premier League last season, and he has two goals and two assists in two Premier League 2 appearances so far this term.
It’s understood that Real Madrid are the frontrunners to secure his signature, although Man Utd are hopeful of retaining the player, despite the fact he is now currently training with the club.
However, if Man Utd agree to cancel his registration, Gabriel will be able to join a European club on a free transfer after his 16th birthday next month.
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