Manchester United stunned as 15-year-old star JJ Gabriel requests immediate exit

Abdullateef Fowewe

Manchester United has been left shocked after highly rated 15-year-old academy prospect JJ Gabriel formally asked the club to cancel his registration with immediate effect, seeking to leave as a free agent.

The request comes just days after Gabriel scored a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut.

The teenager, who turns 16 on 6 October, has wiped United references from his social media and informed the club he no longer wishes to play for them.

Gabriel is widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in English football.

He has already trained with the first-team squad, featured in pre-season, and won major youth awards, including Premier League Under-18 Player of the Season.

Clubs including Manchester City, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have previously shown interest in him.

United are understood to be surprised by the development and hope to resolve the situation.

Under Premier League rules, a youth registration can only be cancelled with agreement from the club, player and parent/carer, or via a binding decision from the league.

Gabriel’s current registration runs until the end of the season, and he cannot sign a professional contract until he turns 17.