Damning reason JJ Gabriel wants to quit Man Utd emerges hours after Fulham draw

The reported true reason JJ Gabriel wants to leave Manchester United has emerged – and it speaks volumes about the state of the club.

Gabriel, 15, informed United, who joined as an 11-year-old, of his intention to leave last week and has since been heavily linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, with his representatives engaging in talks with the Catalans on Friday (September 18).

It was initially reported that the reason for Gabriel’s stance was that his team believed United had broken promises of a pathway to the first team.

Reason for JJ Gabriel quit request emerges

However, a fresh report from the Daily Mail claims another damning reason may be at play.

Sources have reportedly told the outlet that the fact United are falling behind Europe’s biggest clubs is the ‘driving force’ behind the teenager’s stance.

The outlet reports: “Daily Mail Sport understands that the decline of United since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson has been the driving force behind Gabriel's family seeking an exit. United have not won a Premier League title since 2013.

“A source close to the family explained that United are 'far away' from the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, as well as domestic rivals Arsenal and Manchester City, and that they want him to 'learn from the best' to maximise his talents.”

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A source also explained: “His dad has ambitions for his son to be the best in the world and play with the best and learn from the best and right now that's not the current situation at United - far from it.”

The youngster, dubbed ‘Kid Messi’, cannot sign a professional deal in England until his 17th birthday, nor can he sign a scholarship until he is 16 on October 6 of this year.

United have reportedly already rejected his request, and a child’s registration can only be cancelled if all three parties involved – the club, player and parent/carer – agree.

Premier League rules state: “If the parties don’t agree, then any person involved can also ask the Premier League to provide a binding decision on a termination request.”

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If United retain his registration, Gabriel will be blocked from signing for another English club until at least the end of the season.

However, through his father’s Irish heritage, he may circumvent the rules by obtaining an EU/Irish passport, which would allow him to sign for an EU-based club.

A move would be subject to FIFA approval. Gabriel has not been seen at United since making the termination request.

Michael Carrick’s stance on JJ Gabriel saga

United head coach Carrick has insisted that those involved in Gabriel’s career and the decision over where he plays his football must be careful.

“He’s a young boy, he’s 15, and for me, definitely, and from a club point of view, is looking after our younger players, their welfare, their well-being, their exposure, and I think we’ve got to be really, all of us, I think we’ve got to be really conscious of that, really, in this situation,” Carrick said last week.

He added: “It’s more about the welfare, the care and the attention of JJ as a child, really.

“He’s certainly a young man.

“The situation is what it is, but we have to be careful about the exposure on that one.”