Manchester United youth prospect JJ Gabriel requests to leave club

Manchester United's highly-rated 15-year-old prospect JJ Gabriel has formally requested to leave the club to become a free agent, a move that has shocked the Premier League side. The teenager, regarded as one of the best young talents in world football, has sent a notice of deregistration to United, seeking to cancel his registration with immediate effect. Gabriel's contract with Manchester United runs until the end of the current season. Under football regulations, clubs cannot sign players to professional contracts until the age of 17 or scholarship agreements until they turn 16. Gabriel does not turn 16 until October 6, which limits the club's immediate options for securing his long-term future. The development comes after Gabriel scored a hat-trick for United's youth team against Sabah in the UEFA Youth League last week. He had been expected to be included in the squad for the Carabao Cup match against Brighton Hove Albion on Wednesday, but instead informed the club of his wish to leave. Manchester United are attempting to resolve the situation and have not given up hope of convincing Gabriel to stay.