JJ Gabriel asks Manchester United to cancel his registration and leave the club
Manchester United 15-year-old academy forward JJ Gabriel has asked the club to cancel his registration and allow him to leave, the Daily Telegraph reported on 15 September 2026. The request has not been authorised by the club and United sources say they believe the situation can still be resolved.
Gabriel, who joined Manchester United at 11, is widely regarded within the club as one of its most promising youngsters and has been nicknamed ‘Kid Messi’ in media coverage. He is not eligible to sign a professional contract until he turns 17 and scholarship agreements are not permitted until players reach 16. Gabriel has not made an official competitive first-team appearance for United, although he featured in unofficial pre-season friendlies.
According to the report, Gabriel formally asked for his registration to be cancelled and to be allowed to leave; United have not approved that request. Club insiders say the player cannot be de-registered immediately and that United can oppose any attempt to revoke his registration. His current agreement with the club runs until the end of the season, the sources added.
The teenager had been in line for a senior debut this campaign and was reportedly set to be involved in the EFL Cup tie against Brighton, which would have made him Manchester United’s youngest-ever player. Arsenal youngster Max Dowman’s first-team debut at age 15 in August last year was mentioned in coverage as a comparison for what Gabriel might have achieved.
Sources said Gabriel did not train on Tuesday and has informed Manchester United that he wants to leave the club. Club officials confirmed he will not be included in the matchday squad to face Brighton tomorrow after missing that session.
Reports also state that Barcelona have spent years trying to recruit Gabriel and that he holds an Irish passport that would allow him to move to Europe at 16; the coverage added that Barcelona and a number of Premier League clubs have shown interest. Those close to Gabriel dismissed suggestions of overt dissatisfaction, but the reporting described a tense episode unfolding behind the scenes; his Instagram account was noted as having been cleared of photographs and references to Manchester United.
With United yet to approve the request and Gabriel under contract until the end of the season, the immediate outcome is that he will not be part of the squad for tomorrow’s EFL Cup match against Brighton; the club and player remain in a disputed situation over his registration.