JJ Gabriel remains registered with Manchester United but is anticipated to depart the club despite his inclusion in the official squad photograph for the 2026/27 season. The squad photo was captured on September 8, when Gabriel was still employed by the club and considered a candidate for first-team involvement. However, days after the photo session, Gabriel and his family submitted a formal request to leave the organization.
Manchester United has made multiple attempts to resolve the situation with the 15-year-old and his family, with considerations for duty of care given his age, but these efforts have yielded no progress. Several of Europe’s leading clubs have expressed interest in Gabriel, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich. Gabriel’s representatives have engaged in discussions with these organizations regarding a potential move.
The club maintains that it has provided Gabriel with a transparent pathway to the first team while prioritizing his long-term development. United points to Gabriel’s inclusion in the squad photo as evidence of his role in manager Michael Carrick’s plans, as well as his participation in pre-season training and a friendly match against Atletico Madrid. However, Gabriel and his family sought greater first-team involvement than the limited minutes he received in that friendly encounter.
Tensions arose around Gabriel’s eligibility for specific upcoming matches. His family requested that he feature for at least 20 minutes in upcoming contests against Sabah in the Champions League, Brighton in the FA Cup, and Bournemouth in the Premier League on October 25, prior to beginning discussions about a scholarship contract. Gabriel was ineligible for the Sabah match as he was not included on United’s A-list, though he participated in the UEFA Youth League fixture that day and scored three goals. Club sources believe Gabriel will become eligible for matchday squads once he turns 16 on October 6, when he will be automatically added to the B-list.
To date, no formal club-to-club contact has been established regarding Gabriel’s availability. United has indicated it will pursue legal action if a European club attempts to circumvent regulations through a FIFA loophole to secure the player. The fractured relationship between the two parties remains unresolved, and Gabriel has not trained with United since the dispute escalated.
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