Man Utd news LIVE: JJ Gabriel latest as new deadline set after 'agreement reached'

Hello and welcome to Mirror Football's Manchester United news live blog for Wednesday, September 23.

JJ Gabriel continues to dominate the conversation around Old Trafford after the highly-rated youngster informed Manchester United of his desire to leave the club. Widely regarded as one of the brightest talents in United's academy, Gabriel has long been tipped for a big future at the club, making his decision all the more surprising.

The teenager is understood to have enlisted agent Ali Barat as efforts to secure a move away from United intensify. Barat's involvement could prove significant, with reports suggesting his connections have helped open up potential opportunities at European giants Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Despite requesting an exit, Gabriel remains registered with United for the remainder of the season and cannot be deregistered. Club officials are still hopeful the situation can be resolved and that the youngster can be persuaded to stay.

Gabriel turns 16 on October 6, when he becomes eligible to sign a scholarship agreement with United. However, he will have to wait until his 17th birthday before he can sign a professional contract.

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Addressing the matter, Man United head coach Carrick is determined to shield the youngster from undue pressure.

"He's a young boy, JJ, and I think it's important that we certainly don't play anything out here," he said. "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.

Super agent Ali Barat and his agency, Epic Sports, have positioned themselves as the clear frontrunners to manage Manchester United's 15-year-old wonderkid, JJ Gabriel.

Although players under the age of 16 cannot formally sign with an agent until they qualify for scholarship terms, Barat has already taken charge by facilitating major talks between Gabriel's family and European giants Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Barat is the founder and owner of football agency Epic Sports, which has rapidly risen to become one of the most powerful player agencies across top European football. Recognised for his prominent deal-making, Barat has been named the Best Agent at the prestigious Golden Boy awards multiple times, cementing his reputation as a top-tier power broker.

Beyond guiding emerging prospects, Barat's agency boasts an expansive roster of high-profile international talent. His notable primary clients include Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson, Tottenham attacker Xavi Simons and Real Madrid defender Denzel Dumfries.

Barat played a key role as a central intermediary in orchestrating Moises Caicedo's £115million move from Brighton to Chelsea in 2023. This landmark deal shattered records as the most expensive transfer in Premier League history at the time.

Slovenia defender Jaka Bijol has told Benjamin Sesko to pay no attention to claims from former United midfielders Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt about his shin injury.

The former United duo appeared to cast doubt over Sesko’s injury on their podcast, The Good, The Bad and The Football. Scholes told Sesko: "If it isn’t broken, just wear your shinpads."

Butt added: "You’re a player – you either break your shin or you play!"

The Leeds defender, Bijol has backed Sesko: "I hope and believe that Beni knows how to distance himself from this kind of pressure.

"When things aren't going your best on the pitch and you have certain doubts, reading things like this can make your confidence even worse. He shouldn't pay too much attention to it, since we all know what quality he has.

Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have questioned the seriousness of a shin injury that continues to sideline Sesko atUnited.

The pair have also accused Michael Carrick of playing Matheus Cunha in a position that 'kills him' and makes him nowhere near as effective as he can be. Sesko, 23, missed the 1-1 draw with Fulham.

The striker felt pain in his shin during the Carabao Cup third round defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford. Cunha started up front in the absence of the Slovenia international. He scored United's late equaliser to earn a point.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt said: "Playing Cunha as a nine kills him. He's nowhere near the player he is off the side. We haven't got a number nine other than Sesko, other than (Joshua) Zirkzee, but he's been going, staying, going, staying. And when he does come on, he doesn't look anywhere near a Manchester United number nine."

Butt continued: "The biggest problem is the number nine. How can Man United have one centre forward? Who is injured, with what, a shin injury?"

Scholes added: "How do you injure your shin? Ain't that a broken leg? Can't you just put your shin pads on?"

Man United striker Sesko has issued an apology while confirming that he has withdrawn from the Slovenia squad for the upcoming international matches.

Sesko's injury was a blow for United over the weekend, resulting in his absence from the squad that faced Fulham in the Premier League. Since Sesko did not feature against Fulham due to injury, doubts arose over whether he would be available to represent his country during the extended international break.

The 23-year-old has now issued an apology on social media after confirming that he will no longer be part of the Slovenia squad for their upcoming Nations League games.

"I am very sorry that I will have to miss the national team's upcoming matches. I have always played for Slovenia - and always will - with heart and pride,” Sesko wrote in a post on Instagram, translated from Slovenian.

"Right now, the most important thing is to focus fully on my recovery. I am already working on getting back on the pitch as soon as possible to help both the national team and my club once again.

"I believe in our guys, and I am certain that this time, too, they will display the team spirit that has always defined us. I can't wait to wear the national team jersey again; until then, I will be Slovenia's biggest supporter. Go Slovenia."

Spanish publication Sport have reported that Gabriel's shortlist of potential destinations now features four clubs, two of which are based in Spain.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are among those reportedly keen on securing Gabriel's signature, alongside Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

The report further claims that Gabriel and his camp have already visited Spain, touring both Madrid and Barcelona. The United starlet has reportedly reached a 'first major agreement' to join one of those clubs instead of any other team.

Talks have been held with Barcelona and Real Madrid over a potential move, although Man United could block the exit, with a tribunal then needed to sort the situation.

According to reports, Man United academy starlet JJ Gabriel wants to move to Spain if he is allowed to leave the club.

Spanish outlet Sport have reported that Gabriel's shortlist of potential destinations now features four clubs, two of which are based in Spain.

Hello and welcome to our Manchester United live blog, where we'll bring you all the latest news, views and developments from Old Trafford throughout the day.