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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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“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
