The situation around JJ Gabriel and Manchester United is still unresolved, according to reports from ESPN, Sky Sports News and BBC Sport published on Monday 5 October. He turned 16 on Tuesday 6 October. All three outlets are relying on unnamed sources, and the player’s camp has not spoken publicly, so everything below is reported, not confirmed by Manchester United or the player.
What ESPN reports about JJ Gabriel
ESPN’s Rob Dawson reports that Gabriel’s representatives wanted him to play at least 20 minutes against Sabah, Brighton and Bournemouth before beginning scholarship talks. ESPN says he has not trained with United since before the Carabao Cup tie with Brighton on 16 September, and that its sources see little sign of a reconciliation. It adds that the representatives believe certain promises were broken. ESPN says it approached them for comment.
ESPN also reports that JJ Gabriel could sign a pre-agreement from his 16th birthday, that United are prepared to take legal action if there is evidence of other clubs approaching him outside the rules, and that United have not received a formal enquiry. It says clubs including Barcelona and Real Madrid have been linked.
The Manchester Evening News says that, as an EU passport holder, he can now agree a deal with an EU club from his birthday, provided the move is approved under FIFA rules.
What Sky Sports News reports
In its report by Danyal Khan, Sky Sports News says JJ Gabriel remains registered with United after his camp made a formal request to leave, and that it expects him to leave despite appearing in the club’s squad photo. Sky says the photo was taken on 8 September, and that multiple attempts to reconcile have made no progress. It reports that his camp has held talks with Barcelona and Real Madrid, with PSG and Bayern Munich also interested.
On JJ Gabriel, the reports differ on outside interest. ESPN and BBC Sport say no formal approach has reached United, while Sky says talks have taken place between the player’s camp and other clubs. We have not been able to confirm either point.
What BBC Sport reports
BBC Sport’s report by Sami Mokbel and Simon Stone says sources told it the decision to seek a move was triggered by his non-inclusion in the squad for United’s Champions League game against Sabah on 10 September. It says he was not on United’s UEFA A list when it was announced on 3 September and that the reasons have not been made clear. BBC Sport notes JJ Gabriel scored a hat-trick for United in a Youth League game against Sabah that day. It also reports that no clubs have approached United so far, that United would consider legal action if there was evidence of an illegal inducement, and that Real Madrid and Barcelona are among those interested.
United’s position on JJ Gabriel
All three outlets say United believe they have offered a clear route to the first team. Sky lists his pre-season involvement with the first team, a debut against Atletico Madrid in a friendly and the squad photo. ESPN reports that club officials have repeatedly checked on his wellbeing. Gabriel’s side, according to Sky, wanted more than the eight to nine minutes he played in that friendly.
JJ Gabriel is a teenager, and nothing here says where he will play next. We will update this report if United or the player’s representatives make an official statement. For United’s Premier League picture, see our Man United injury news before Spurs.
Do you think the situation can still be resolved?
Featured image: Carrington training ground, aerial view, 2009. Photo: North West Air Ambulance / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
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Do you think United and Gabriel’s camp can still find a way back, or is it too late?