Carrick Urges Care as JJ’s Exit Looms

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 19, 2026

Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has called for discretion regarding youth player Gabriel’s request to leave the club, as the 16-year-old seeks a move facilitated by upcoming citizenship documentation. The club faces limited control over the transfer but aims to secure compensation through scholarship terms while managing the player’s welfare amid ongoing negotiations.

Michael Carrick, the interim manager of Manchester United, has urged caution and sensitivity regarding the situation surrounding youth player Gabriel’s imminent departure from the club. Speaking this week, Carrick emphasized the need to protect the young player from excessive public scrutiny amid ongoing transfer developments.

Gabriel, a promising talent who has attracted attention due to his performances, notably a hat-trick against Sabah in the UEFA Youth League on September 10, has reportedly submitted a formal request to leave Manchester United. The 16-year-old midfielder has not returned to train at Carrington since that match, underscoring the seriousness of his intention to move on.

The player is eligible to obtain an EU passport through his father’s Irish heritage or his mother’s Cypriot background. Reports from Spain indicate that he is expected to secure the relevant documentation within the next week, which would facilitate a transfer, subject to FIFA approval. Manchester United is reportedly limited in their ability to block such a move but can offer Gabriel scholarship terms from his 16th birthday onward. This approach aims to ensure the club receives some form of compensation, albeit modest.

Gabriel had been lined up to train with the first team ahead of a potential inclusion in the squad for Manchester United’s Carabao Cup fixture against Brighton, which would have seen him become the club’s youngest-ever player. However, members of his camp assert that the club’s promises regarding senior involvement have not been fulfilled, citing that Gabriel only received eight minutes of first-team pre-season game time.

Carrick also addressed recent fan frustrations following the team’s home loss to Brighton, where Manchester United relinquished a 2-0 lead to ultimately lose 3-2. While acknowledging that no one likes losing, Carrick characterized the defeat not as a catastrophe but as a challenge to be addressed, reaffirming his focus on moving forward with the squad’s development.

The situation remains fluid as both Manchester United and Gabriel’s representatives navigate the complexities of the player’s future, with the club aiming to balance protecting a young talent’s welfare while managing potential regulatory and contractual implications.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.