Manchester United: Michael Carrick breaks his silence on the JJ Gabriel situation

The Red Devils coach urges caution as the 15-year-old prodigy wants to leave Old Trafford

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Manchester United: Michael Carrick breaks his silence on the JJ Gabriel situation

After JJ Gabriel requested to leave, Michael Carrick spoke out and stressed the importance of protecting the young Manchester prodigy.

The JJ Gabriel situation continues to stir debate in Manchester. Regarded as one of the greatest talents in the Manchester United academy, Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel has requested the cancellation of his registration in order to leave the Red Devils. It is a particularly sensitive decision given that the young winger is only 15 and was initially expected to join the first-team squad for the League Cup match against Brighton.

After Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat to the Seagulls, Michael Carrick opted for a measured response.

“We need to exercise a little caution over this matter. He is a 15-year-old boy. It is all about JJ’s well-being, protection and the care he needs. The situation is what it is, but we need to be careful in how we approach this case,” said the Manchester United manager.

Carrick : "JJ Gabriel ? Il faut faire preuve d’un peu de prudence à ce sujet. C’est un garçon de 15 ans. Il s’agit avant tout du bien-être, de la protection et de l’attention dont JJ a besoin. La situation est ce qu’elle est, mais nous devons faire attention à la médiatisation et… pic.twitter.com/ZdGEQF8e1D
— Manchester United (@MUnitedFR) September 16, 2026

Manchester United want to protect JJ Gabriel

The situation is all the more delicate because Gabriel cannot sign a professional contract in England until he turns 17. He will celebrate his 16th birthday on October 6 and will then be able to sign a scholarship agreement. United does not yet regard his departure as inevitable, however, and still hopes to convince the player and those around him to continue their journey at Old Trafford.

JJ Gabriel had officially asked to leave Manchester United despite having further enhanced his status as an academy phenomenon. Last season, he scored 26 goals in 29 youth matches and became the youngest recipient of the Jimmy Murphy Award, which recognises the club’s best young player. He also scored a hat-trick against Sabah in the UEFA Youth League just days before making his request.

Real Madrid, Barça and several European giants on alert

Such a situation is bound to attract attention. According to Foot Mercato, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are among the clubs monitoring the situation. His potential is already recognised in England: Ryan Giggs described him as a “generational talent”, while Manchester United had planned to give him his first opportunity with the senior team this week.

For the Red Devils, the timing is poor from a sporting perspective. After a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League, United have now suffered a second consecutive defeat against Brighton, despite taking a 2-0 lead. The club have just one win after four league matches and sit 13th.

Added pressure at the start of a difficult season

The only real recent bright spot came in the UEFA Champions League, with a 4-0 victory over Sabah marking the club’s return to the competition. This European win contrasts with the domestic difficulties and further highlights the importance of retaining the most promising young talents.

In this context, Carrick appears keen to avoid any public escalation surrounding Gabriel. At 15, the player finds himself at the centre of a situation that has already gone far beyond