Wayne Rooney makes shock JJ Gabriel claim as Manchester United update revealed | OneFootball

Man Utd great is not surprised to see the wonderkid want out

has revealed that JJ Gabriel's Manchester United exit has been coming for some time.

Gabriel, 15, has told United he wants to leave Old Trafford, with a move to Spain reportedly among his preferred options. Real Madrid and Barcelona are understood to be monitoring the situation.

Rooney, speaking on Stick to United, insists United have done everything possible to convince the teenager to stay.

“I think that anyone close to it knew that was coming,” Rooney admitted.

“In fairness to Manchester United, they've done everything, they've done absolutely everything to keep him, to keep him at the club.

“I think it's been known that there's been a desire to go and play probably in Spain, I think, I might be wrong, but this is what you've heard over the years. The club have treated him probably differently to the other players because he is such a special talent.

Wayne Rooney and JJ Gabriel

London Standard

“I know, I recognise, I understand that because I was that player at Everton and I was getting that treatment at Everton which was you're getting a bit more, your parents get given stuff, you're getting that special treatment more than the other players are getting. Which as a club you need to do to try and keep your better players.

“It's just disappointing, of course, because he is such a top player and he's a lovely kid. So you never know whether it's gone too far and whether there is a chance to stay.

“But I think everyone close to it has probably known that that was going to come”.

Gabriel has made a major impact in United's youth ranks, scoring 29 goals and providing four assists in 32 Under-18 appearances, according to reports. He also scored a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut earlier this month.

United have rejected his request to terminate his registration, but the situation could become more complicated when he turns 16 in October.