JJ Gabriel starts talks with his first club since leaving Man Utd in a big surprise
JJ Gabriel, the young Manchester United star, has arrived in Spain to talk with his first club after asking to leave the 20-time Premier League champions. Gabriel, who is just 15 and nicknamed ‘Kid Messi,’ told United on September 15 that he wants to leave.
He sent a formal request to cancel his registration with United, hoping to become a free agent. Big clubs across Europe like Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich are interested in him. Because he’s only 15, Gabriel can’t sign a professional contract yet under Premier League rules. Players must be 17 to sign pro contracts and at least 16 to sign scholarships; Gabriel will turn 16 on October 6.
Even though Gabriel has asked to leave, United can challenge it. The rules say his registration can only be canceled if the club, the player, and his parent or carer all agree. If they don’t, the Premier League can step in to make a decision.
While no final choice has been made about Gabriel’s future, reports say he’s now talking to Barcelona. The Daily Mail said Gabriel flew to Catalonia on September 18 to start talks about a possible move. Barcelona had previously shown interest by taking him on a tour of their training facilities in 2024, where he met starlet Lamine Yamal and even took a photo together.
English players usually can only move abroad at 18, but Gabriel might get around this by using his Irish passport eligibility. He joined United when he was 11 and is seen as a huge talent. Last season, he scored over 20 goals and won the 2025/26 Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award.
After United lost 3-2 to Brighton in the Carabao Cup, coach Carrick shared his thoughts on Gabriel. “We have to be really careful with this situation,” he said. “He’s a young boy, only 15, and it’s important we look after his welfare, well-being, and exposure. We all need to be mindful of that.”
Carrick added, “It’s about caring for JJ as a child. He’s a young man, and while the situation is what it is, we need to be careful about how much attention we give it.”
During a press conference, Carrick was asked about Gabriel again. He said, “He’s a young boy, and we shouldn’t make a big deal out of this. We need to be sensible and think about what’s best for him. The situation will sort itself out, and making sure he’s okay is the most important thing.”
Manchester United will play Fulham away on Sunday, September 20.