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Manchester United warned JJ Gabriel exit could trigger transfer nightmare
Sep 28 2026 22:49 · By onefootball.com · 16 Reads
Wonderkid’s exit could have severe knock-on effects
Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United not to let JJ Gabriel leave as he worries more youngsters could follow him out the door if he does.
It was reported earlier this month that Gabriel had made a shock request to United that he be deregistered, allowing him to leave the club as a free agent.
At 15, he is widely considered to be one of the brightest talents in the country and very highly rated at United. Michael Carrick was reportedly willing to name him in the matchday squad for United’s Carabao Cup match against Brighton earlier this season, but that notion was derailed by his transfer request.
It is said Gabriel’s entourage feel he should have been handed first-team opportunities already, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid among the clubs interested in taking the youngster on. Meanwhile, United are reportedly doing all in their power to convince him to stay.
And Ferdinand has now called on the club to stand firm as they bid to appease Gabriel, saying he worries about the precedent that may be set should he force his way out.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand began: "I think we need to understand the reasons why he wants to leave the club. It’s not a 15-year-old making this call on his own, his family may have their reasons why.
JJ Gabriel is one of the most highly-rated talents in English football
Getty
“Are they being impatient, are they thinking he should have got minutes already, were they promised stuff and now they’re disgruntled?”
He continued, pointing out United’s storied Carrington academy could stand to lose out on more talent if Gabriel gets his way: “There will be other kids using this as a reference point so you can’t be seen to be weak as a football club. But, I reiterate, I don’t know the full facts and I would love to.
He continued, calling on Gabriel to be patient as he takes his first steps in professional football: “I remember watching him in training and he was doing shooting drills with Bruno Fernandes. That’s the PFA Player of the Year and one of the best midfielders in the world.
“At 15-years-old that would have been enough for me. But maybe he’s got aspirations and wants to be playing already.”