Manchester United have been left stunned after teenage sensation JJ Gabriel expressed his desire to cancel his registration and leave the club immediately, with Barcelona and Real Madrid leading the race for his signature.
The 15-year-old, who turns 16 next month, prefers a move to Spain but has Chelsea as his top English option if he stays in the Premier League.
Gabriel cannot quit United until the end of the season and cannot be deregistered, leaving the club hoping to convince him to sign a scholarship agreement once eligible.
Elsewhere, United recorded record revenues in their latest financial results, crediting Sir Jim Ratcliffe's cost reductions and a third-place finish in the 2025/26 season.
The club are also monitoring Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic, who has six goals and two assists in seven games this season, alongside Club Brugge defender Joaquin Seys after his two assists in a 3-0 win over Genk.
Former academy midfielder James Garner insists he has no regrets about leaving for Everton in 2022, a move that earned him a recall to Thomas Tuchel's England squad.
The argument doing the rounds in Kampala is whether United's academy can retain its brightest prospects when European giants circle, or if the Ratcliffe rebuild makes staying more attractive.
Key updates from Old Trafford:
- JJ Gabriel wants immediate exit; Barcelona and Real Madrid frontrunners
- Player turns 16 next month, eligible for scholarship deal
- United post record revenues after Ratcliffe cost cuts
- Scouting Matanovic (Freiburg) and Seys (Club Brugge)
- Garner says Everton move has no regrets after England recall
Source: Mirror
