Wantaway Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel has been included in Manchester United’s squad photo of the season despite his desperate pleas to leave the club.
Gabriel shocked United last month when he made his intentions clear that he wanted to depart, despite the club’s opinion that he would be much better off staying.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have been circling to try and sign the 15-year-old – who turns 16 on Tuesday – with the forward flying to the former to train.
It’s understood that he in fact travelled to Spain via France two weeks ago raising the possibility that his representatives may have spoken to Paris Saint-Germain as well. Bayern Munich are also known to have been tracking his progress.
But Madrid have been leading the chase for Gabriel and are believed to have held talks with his camp over the past few weeks.
He was included in United’s official first team photo, which was released on Monday. It is understood the photo was taken last month on September 8, two days before he last played for the club.
JJ Gabriel (circled) has been included in Manchester United’s first-team photo despite making his intention to leave known
He stood on the second row, next to veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton and fellow youngster Harry Amass.
Daily Mail Sport understands that the Red Devils’ stance has always been that they won’t de-register Gabriel and will continue to try to convince him that he is better off staying.
There is, though, acceptance within the club that the situation could change after his 16th birthday as the significance of an Irish passport kicks in – which allows players to bypass non European Union limits in foreign leagues and make international moves at a younger age easier.
Gabriel can also be legally represented by an agent at the age of 16.
The Old Trafford hierarchy are refusing to bow to Gabriel’s demand to rip up his registration and leave as a free agent – a move that could earn the club just £300,000 in compensation for a player who might soon be worth millions.
If United insist on keeping him until the end of the season, the 15-year-old could launch an appeal to the Premier League or even FIFA.
Because of his age, it would be difficult for United to stop his family from relocating to Spain or another European country, particularly if they can make a convincing argument it is being driven by a business opportunity unrelated to football and not because clubs are offering them a financial inducement.
FIFA regulations also include specific criteria over a young player’s education, but there are ways around those rules such as home-schooling.
Gabriel (pictured with Lamine Yamal in 2024) is of interest to the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in Spain
United insiders say the club’s main priority is Gabriel’s welfare, pointing out that the club still have a duty of care while he remains their player.
Barcelona gave Gabriel a tour of their club facilities in August 2024 when he was introduced to superstar Lamine Yamal who signed a shirt and posed for a photo. They are understood to have made their pitch to the player and are open to giving him time.
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 of 16 – which would have automatically triggered a lucrative professional contract on his 17th birthday.
United boss Michael Carrick said at his press conference before the international break 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.’
