MANCHESTER UNITED TEENAGER JJ GABRIEL ASKS TO LEAVE CLUB

Manchester United academy player JJ Gabriel, 15, has told the club he wants to leave, asking for his registration to be cancelled to become a free agent, according to reports. United say they are unclear what prompted the move and were taken by surprise. The club had planned to include Gabriel, known as "Kid Messi", in its squad for Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie against Brighton and Hove Albion, where he was set to become United's youngest ever first-team player. United believe the situation can be resolved and have not given up hope of persuading him to stay.

Gabriel is an England Under-17 international who scored a hat-trick in United's UEFA Youth League win over Sabah last week. Head coach Michael Carrick has called him "a really big talent", while United's record appearance maker Ryan Giggs described him as a "generational talent". He was named United's Under-18 Premier League Player of the Season and grew up in London, previously training at Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham before joining United. Some reports link his request to a breakdown in trust between his family and the club, with his contract said to expire next summer.

United say Gabriel's registration cannot simply be cancelled given the time remaining on it. Accounts differ on the reason for his decision; some reports have linked it to comparisons with young players at rival clubs, including Arsenal's Max Dowman and Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha. No timeline has been given for when the matter will be settled. United's Carabao Cup tie against Brighton and Hove Albion is due to go ahead on Wednesday. It remains unclear whether Gabriel will feature following his request to leave.