MANCHESTER UNITED wonderkid JJ Gabriel stunned the club’s hierarchy by asking to axe his contract – with a potential split being compared to losing one of the game’s greats.
The 15-year-old phenom was expected by many to make his senior debut for the Red Devils this season, after being touted as one of the world’s most promising youngsters.
Gabriel – full name Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel – has been with the club since he was 11 and picked up the nickname “Kid Messi.”
But he has seemingly decided to call time on his spell at Carrington, requesting that his registration be immediately terminated.
Rival teams are now on red alert, with the starlet reportedly yet to line up a new club – instead planning to become a free agent.
The Telegraph report that a source at one such club claimed: “This would be like Barcelona losing Messi before he had played for them. It would be huge.”
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RIFT OF THE GAB
Man Utd wonderkid JJ Gabriel asks to leave but still might start tomorrow
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Suitors haven’t announced themselves yet, but clubs with a penchant for bringing through young talent, such as Chelsea and Barcelona, will surely be weighing up the idea of making the youngster an offer.
United fans were far from pleased with the reveal, with one writing: “Lol we’re finished if our best talents in academy are quitting.”
Another unimpressed fan wrote: “Bye bye. Don’t let the door hit you.”
But other fans were more understanding of the teen’s decision, instead blaming the club’s shaky reputation.
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Friday 18 September
Brentford
20:00
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Chelsea
Saturday 19 September
Spurs
12:30
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Brighton
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Everton
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Forest
17:30
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Monday 14 September
Leeds
4 – 1
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Newcastle
Sunday 13 September
Man Utd
0 – 1
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Man City
Coventry
0 – 5
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Brighton
Saturday 12 September
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A third fan explained: “This is what the club has become, youngsters don’t see us as a good club to develop and win things anymore.”
And a fourth fan added: “Can’t blame the kid, whole club is a joke and won’t change under this ownership.”
The ball is in United’s court on whether or not to accept his request, with the teen still under contract with the club until the summer.
Gabriel has a viral following thanks to his highlights from the club’s youth ranks.
His tally of 843,000 Instagram followers is more than first team stars such as Ayden Heaven and new signing Carlos Baleba.
He already has a sponsorship deal with Nike, with the aggressive commercialisation of his blooming career spearheaded by his dad, Joe O’Cearuill.
O’Cearuill is a former Arsenal and Republic of Ireland player, who has been far from shy about how highly he rates his son.
But that belief can become disruptive, with O’Cearuill being described as a “nightmare” and a “problem” by industry sources.
Friday 18 September
Brentford
20:00
EPL
Chelsea
Saturday 19 September
Spurs
12:30
EPL
Villa
Brighton
15:00
EPL
Arsenal
Everton
15:00
EPL
Ipswich
Newcastle
15:00
EPL
Hull
Forest
17:30
EPL
Coventry
Monday 14 September
Leeds
4 – 1
EPL
Newcastle
Sunday 13 September
Man Utd
0 – 1
EPL
Man City
Coventry
0 – 5
EPL
Brighton
Saturday 12 September
Sunderland
0 – 2
EPL
Arsenal
Spurs
0 – 0
EPL
Everton
English Premier League
Pld
Pts
GD
W
D
L
Form
1
4
12
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4
0
0
2
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Friday 18 September
Brentford
20:00
EPL
Chelsea
Saturday 19 September
Spurs
12:30
EPL
Villa
Brighton
15:00
EPL
Arsenal
Everton
15:00
EPL
Ipswich
Newcastle
15:00
EPL
Hull
Forest
17:30
EPL
Coventry
Monday 14 September
Leeds
4 – 1
EPL
Newcastle
Sunday 13 September
Man Utd
0 – 1
EPL
Man City
Coventry
0 – 5
EPL
Brighton
Saturday 12 September
Sunderland
0 – 2
EPL
Arsenal
Spurs
0 – 0
EPL
Everton
English Premier League
Pld
Pts
GD
W
D
L
Form
1
4
12
7
4
0
0
2
4
12
6
4
0
0
3
4
8
4
2
2
0
4
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