Manchester United has been dealt a major blow as the club’s top prospect JJ Gabriel has asked to leave, per multiple reports.
The 15-year-old’s request to leave Old Trafford was first reported by The Telegraph, then by several other outlets.
Advertisement
Gabriel is considered a potential future star and one of the best prospects not only at United, but all of England.
But Gabriel has reportedly handed in a letter of de-registration, which would free him from his current contract with United.
The club has been blindsided by this request and is still hopeful to keep Gabriel at Old Trafford, according to the reports.
1 / 6
Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2026-27 season
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo (left) jumps for the ball against Newcastle United at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on Aug. 23, 2026. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
(PAUL ELLIS, AFP via Getty Images)
1 / 6
Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2026-27 season
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo (left) jumps for the ball against Newcastle United at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on Aug. 23, 2026. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
(PAUL ELLIS, AFP via Getty Images)
2 / 6
Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2026-27 season
Erling Haaland of Manchester City runs with the ball during the match against AFC Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on Aug. 23, 2026 in Manchester, England. Man City won the match, 2-1.
(Michael Steele, Getty Images)
3 / 6
Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2026-27 season
Thierno Barry of Everton scores his team’s second goal while under pressure from Chris Richards of Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Aug. 22, 2026 in Liverpool. Everton won the match, 2-0.
(Naomi Baker, Getty Images)
4 / 6
Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2026-27 season
Hull City’s Mohamed Belloumi (left) chases the ball during the Premier League match against Manchester United at the MKM Stadium in Kingston upon Hull, eastern England on Aug. 22, 2026. Hull City won the match, 2-0.
(PAUL ELLIS, AFP via Getty Images)
5 / 6
Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2026-27 season
Loum Tchaouna of Coventry City is challenged in the air by Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Aug. 21, 2026 in London, England. Arsenal won the match, 3-0.
(Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)
6 / 6
Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2026-27 season
A pyrotechnics display takes place before the 2026-27 Premier League season-opening match between Arsenal and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on Aug. 21, 2026 in London, England.
(Julian Finney, Getty Images)
Gabriel was named the Premier League Under-18 player of the season in May and has moved up to United’s reserve side in Premier League 2 this season, already scoring twice. He also netted a hat trick against Sabah in the UEFA Youth League last week.
Advertisement
In a recent appearance on Rio Ferdinand’s show, Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs referred to Gabriel as a “generational talent.”
Giggs and Ferdinand were discussing whether Gabriel should go on loan to gain first-team experience, but the Welshman insisted that the forward could be in line for senior minutes at Old Trafford.
“Well, I think he is sort of a generational talent, he’s got to stay,” Giggs said.
“There’s no point in going out on loan because he’s at the best place and he’d be dipping in and out of the first team, so that experience is invaluable.
Advertisement
“Not only the games and the training, but actually traveling with the team, seeing the expectation of Man United, the focus is so huge on Manchester United, you need to get used to that.”
Gabriel was expected to make United’s senior team for a Carabao Cup match against Brighton on Wednesday, Sept. 15 but it is no longer clear if that will happen.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘Generational talent’ JJ Gabriel, 15, asks to leave Manchester United
