Football/ Manchester United face fight to keep 15-Year-Old sensation JJ Gabriel
Manchester United are scrambling to prevent JJ Gabriel, described by one club source as “the best 15-year-old in Europe,” from leaving Old Trafford.
The forward’s relationship with United has deteriorated sharply, with the player believed to feel that promises over his career path have been broken.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox are leading talks aimed at persuading him to stay ; though sources close to the player suggest trust is low.
Gabriel scored a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut last week and was expected to become United’s youngest-ever player against Brighton in the Carabao Cup. That debut never came.
He has played just eight minutes of senior football, against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring the situation. Gabriel, who holds an EU passport, turns 16 on 6 October ; and could then leave, potentially without compensation.
United’s handling of his development has raised eyebrows. Arsenal gave Max Dowman his chance at 15; Bayern Munich debuted Lennart Karl at 17. Gabriel’s camp wonders why United have not done the same.
With time running out, United face a familiar problem: convincing a generational talent that his future lies where he is.
