Losing Gabriel Would Be A Blow For Man Utd – Rooney

Wayne Rooney has warned Manchester United that losing 15-year-old JJ Gabriel would be a major disappointment, calling the academy prospect a “special talent” who is attracting interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The former United captain believes Gabriel, who turns 16 next month, would have made his first-team debut this season had he not asked to leave Old Trafford. The teenager recently submitted a request to exit, and his future remains uncertain as Europe’s biggest clubs reportedly monitor him.

Gabriel showcased his potential on the European stage by scoring a stunning hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut against Sabah.

Rooney has closely followed Gabriel’s progress in United’s youth setup, where the teenager played alongside his son, Kai. Speaking on the Stick To Football podcast on Disney+, Rooney said: “I have seen JJ grow up, he has been in [my son] Kai’s team. Anyone close to it knew that was coming. In fairness to Manchester United they have done everything, absolutely everything, to keep him at the club.

“The club have treated him probably differently to the other players because he is such a special player. I know, I recognise that, because I was that player at Everton. I was getting that treatment at Everton. As a club, you need to do [it] to try to keep the better players. It’s disappointing because he is such a top player and a lovely kid. You never know whether it’s gone too far or whether there is a chance for him to stay.”

Rooney also praised Gabriel’s maturity, balance and natural goalscoring ability against older opposition. “He is a top player,” Rooney said. “His ability, his balance, he has shown he can go up the ages and score goals. The next step is first-team football where it’s different, and you never know until you’re in there.

“But he’s such a special talent who understands the game really well. At some point this season he would [have] made his debut for the first-team, I’d imagine, so that’s where it’s disappointing.”