Man United make immediate academy moves less than 24 hours after JJ Gabriel bombshell

Less than 24 hours after JJ Gabriel asked to leave Manchester United, another of the club's youngsters has sealed professional terms.

JJ Gabriel, 15, was expected to become United's youngest-ever player by featuring in their fourth-round Carabao Cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night, but that is now unlikely after he asked to cancel his registration with immediate effect.

The teenage starlet, who won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award for the 2025/26 campaign after scoring more than 20 times for United's development side, has interest from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

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Dante Plunkett signs professional Man United contract

Chelsea are one club not allowed to sign Gabriel after being slapped with a nine-month academy transfer ban and a £750,000 fine in March over the registration of academy players between 2019 and 2022.

That will be a relief to many inside Old Trafford, although it doesn't soften the blow of losing a potential superstar in the making, who is widely known as 'Kid Messi'.

Gabriel is hoping to have his contract terminated so that he can sign for an overseas club when he turns 16 on October 6, but as United prepare to wave goodbye to their teenage sensation, another of their youngsters has committed his future to the club.

Confirmed on Man United's official website, Dante Plunkett has signed a professional contract with the Red Devils alongside Fred Heath and Will Murdock, while, according to BBC Sport's Simon Stone, the talented left-back has obtained a Jamaican passport.

Born in Birmingham, Plunkett had the chance to represent England at youth level, but it appears he's opted for his parents' nation, Jamaica, after receiving his first call-up in May, joining the Reggae Boyz squad for the Unity Cup final against Nigeria.

The 18-year-old was an unused substitute in that match as his side suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat, though he will be hoping to play a prominent role for the national team in the future.

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Who is Dante Plunkett?

Plunkett joined the Manchester United academy in July 2024 after leaving Aston Villa and has since become a prominent figure for the club's under-18s.

Primarily a left-back, but also capable of playing on the wing, the teenager has scored twice and assisted five times in 32 appearances for the under-18s.

The Jamaican was invited to train with United’s first team for the first time in February 2025, underlining his rapid development since moving to Old Trafford from Villa's academy.

Turning 19 on October 9, Plunkett will be looking to step up to the under-21s after a productive campaign in the lower age group, while placing himself in stronger contention for international selection.

Plunkett joining Heath and Murdock in signing contracts is a sign that United continue to plan for the future, with the other two also showing plenty of promise.

Goalkeeper Heath was part of the senior group that travelled to Ireland during pre-season and is part of the under-21s squad alongside Murdock, who secured his second professional contract with the club.

Northern Ireland Under-19 international Murdock played in the 4-1 victory over Leicester City in Premier League 2 recently and regularly kept goal in the competition last term, including during the play-off final against Brighton.