Manchester United: Shea Lacey reacts as Champions League debut proves 'final straw' for JJ Gabriel | OneFootball

Man Utd are fighting to keep hold of talented youngster

Shea Lacey has revealed his love for Manchester United, amid claims he is part of the reason why JJ Gabriel wants to leave.

In a shock development at Old Trafford, Gabriel - who has been at United since the age of 11, has asked the club to cancel his registration so he can become a free agent.

While Standard Sport understands United have been taken aback by the 15-year-old’s request, details of Gabriel’s decision has come to light.

According to reports, Gabriel’s entourage were unhappy with Michael Carrick’s decision to hand Shea Lacey and Harry Amass their Champions League debuts against Sabah last week.

It has also been suggested that this was the ‘final straw’ as Gabriel and his team believe he should've been given that chance ahead of those players, despite being four years younger than both Lacey and Amass.

On the same day as Lacey’s Champions League debut, Gabriel scored a hat-trick as Man United beat Sabah in the UEFA Youth League.

Playing the full 90 minutes at the Progress With Unity Stadium last Thursday, the teenager opened his account on the stroke of half-time before completing his treble with two goals in quick succession late on.

Despite the aforementioned claim regarding an opportunity in the Champions League, Gabriel was never in contention to feature in the 4-0 win at Old Trafford.

This is because the only way for a 15-year-old to play in the Champions League is to be named in a club's 25-man A list of players.

United submitted their squad prior to facing Sabah but opted not to put Gabriel on the A list, meaning he was ineligible for United’s return to Europe’s top table following a three-year absence.