Why JJ Gabriel is not in Manchester United squad against Brighton today after major U-turn | OneFootball

United wonderkid was primed to make history tonight

JJ Gabriel is not in the Manchester United matchday squad against Brighton, missing the chance to make history.

As reported by Standard Sport, United had planned to include the teenage sensation in their first-team matchday squad for tonight’s Carabao Cup clash at Old Trafford.

At just 15 years of age, Gabriel would have become Man United’s youngest-ever player had he featured against Brighton, beating the record of the late former goalkeeper David Gaskell - who made his debut for United at the age of just 16 years and 19 days against Manchester City in October 1956.

Gabriel made his non-competitive Man United debut in the pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid last month and was spoken highly of by head coach Michael Carrick just a few weeks later.

"I really enjoyed the game. You could see the quality,” Carrick said. "JJ is one of the boys. He's obviously got a really big talent.

“He's trained with us quite a bit and is getting experience all the time. He's physically adapting to each step that he makes, and we're just continuing his development."

However, following a major U-turn, not only has Gabriel been left out of the matchday squad, his Man United career is in serious doubt after asking the club to cancel his registration so he can become a free agent.

Left out: JJ Gabriel

Getty

Standard Sport understands United have been taken aback by Gabriel’s decision but believe they can convince wonderkid to stay at the club despite his shock demand to leave.

United are able to challenge Gabriel’s request, while Premier League rules state that all parties - the club, player and their parent or carer - must agree to the cancellation for it to be valid.

“If the parties don’t agree, then any one person involved can also ask the Premier League to provide a binding decision on a termination request.”

Gabriel is unable to sign a professional contract until he turns 17, or a scholarship agreement until he turns 16 on October 6.