JJ Gabriel Included in Man Utd Team Photo as Exit Tensions Continue

JJ Gabriel (third from left, middle row) in Man Utd’s men’s and women’s team photo.

Manchester United have included 15-year-old forward JJ Gabriel in their official first-team photo, even though he has told the club he wants to go.

The picture came out on Monday. It is understood to have been taken on September 8, two days before Gabriel last played for United. He stands in the second row, next to goalkeeper Tom Heaton and fellow youngster Harry Amass. Gabriel turns 16 on Tuesday.

United are refusing to cancel his registration, which is what Gabriel wants so he can leave as a free agent. The club would get only about £300,000 in compensation if that happened, for a player who could soon be worth millions. Their stance is that he is better off staying, and they plan to keep trying to win him over.

There is a quiet acceptance inside the club that things could change after his birthday. An Irish passport helps players get around non-EU limits in foreign leagues, which makes a move abroad at a young age easier. From 16 he can also be legally represented by an agent.

Real Madrid are believed to be leading the chase and have reportedly held talks with his camp over the last few weeks. Barcelona are also in the picture, and Gabriel is said to have flown to Spain to train with them. He is understood to have gone via France two weeks ago, which has raised the question of whether his people also spoke to Paris Saint-Germain. Bayern Munich are known to be following his progress too.

Barcelona first showed him around their facilities in August 2024, when he met Lamine Yamal, who signed a shirt and posed for a photo with him. The Spanish club are said to have made their pitch and are happy to give him time.

JJ Gabriel (circled) included in Man Utd’s first-team photo despite wanting to leave.

If United hold on to him until the end of the season, Gabriel could appeal to the Premier League or even FIFA. His family could also move to Spain or another European country. That would be hard for United to block, especially if the family argue the move is down to a business opportunity and not money offered by clubs. FIFA also has rules on a young player's education, but there are ways around them, such as home-schooling.

United sources say Gabriel's welfare comes first and that the club still has a duty of care while he is on their books.

Gabriel has been at Old Trafford since he was 11 and is seen as one of the best young prospects in Europe. He was due to sign a first-year scholarship at 16, which would have triggered a big professional contract on his 17th birthday.

Manager Michael Carrick spoke about the situation at his press conference before the international break. 

"I think I'd just repeat what I said the other day, really," he said. "He's a young boy, JJ, and I think it's important that we certainly don't play anything out here. I think the exposure and the scrutiny and everything, you've got to be careful and be sensible and think of him as much as anything."

He added: "So the situation will work itself out, whatever way it's going to work itself out. Making sure he's okay is the important thing."