Michael Carrick has addressed JJ Gabriel’s future after the academy player asked to leave Manchester United.
Speaking at the post-match press conference after United’s shock exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Brighton, Carrick discussed the request, Gabriel’s current status and what could happen next.
Gabriel’s request to leave United
Gabriel asked to leave United this week and refused to attend training on Tuesday to try to force a move, which led to his exclusion from the matchday squad tonight.
Carrick’s response to the academy player’s request
The immediate question to Carrick concerned his views on the young starlet’s position and his involvement in the discussions. Carrick replied “I just think we’ve got to be really careful of the whole situation.”
“He’s a young boy, he’s 15, and the biggest for me definitely, and as a club point of view, is looking after our younger players for the welfare, their well-being, their exposure.”
“All of us, I think we’ve got to be really conscious of that.”
Asked if he was involved in the conversations, he answered:
“As a club for sure we’re all involved in those conversations. I just think we’ve got to be very careful.”
JJ Gabriel’s academy position
The 15-year-old, who turns 16 on October 6, is a forward and is officially listed as a member of the club’s Under-18 squad, although he has stepped up to play regularly at higher age levels this season. Gabriel has made an exceptional start to the 2026/27 campaign.
He has scored twice and provided two assists in two Premier League 2 appearances for United’s Under-21s, finding the net and registering two assists against Ipswich Town before scoring again against Leicester City. He then scored a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut as United’s Under-19s beat Sabah 5-0, taking his competitive tally for the season to five goals and two assists in three appearances.
Gabriel joined United at the age of 11 and has progressed rapidly through the academy despite routinely playing above his natural age group. He became United’s youngest-ever Under-18 player in April 2025, scoring twice in a 13-1 victory over Leeds United, before establishing himself at that level during the following campaign.
He scored 20 goals in 21 league appearances in 2025/26 according to the Premier League, which named him its inaugural Under-18 Player of the Season.
Gabriel was also named United’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year, becoming the youngest recipient of the award. His development has since taken him into the Under-21s, UEFA Youth League and first-team training, while he made his senior bow during pre-season against Atletico Madrid.
Carrick’s measured comments were more interesting for what he didn’t say than for what he did. The implication may have been that the club will not expose young players to senior football before they are ready mentally and physically to handle it, regardless of their obvious talent. If that is the club’s stance, it seems likely that the wonderkid will be leaving Old Trafford in the near future.
Final Thoughts
- Gabriel has asked to leave Manchester United.
- Carrick hinted that the club had to be very careful in handling the academy player.
- The manager confirmed he was part of the ongoing discussions around the issue.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
1 comment
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