Although friction between Gabriel’s representatives and United had been growing for several months, the player reportedly decided to pursue a transfer after being left out of Michael Carrick’s squad for the Champions League match against Azerbaijani title-holders Sabah FK on 10 September.
Those representing the young forward had hoped he would be named among the substitutes for the Sabah fixture, which appeared to be United’s least demanding league-phase contest.
There were also conversations about potentially introducing the London-born player during the EFL Cup tie against Brighton on 16 September, and club officials later maintained that this had been their intention.
An appearance in either fixture would have made Gabriel the youngest footballer ever to represent United.
By the time the match against Fabian Hurzeler’s team took place, however, the striker had already informed United that he wanted to leave and had departed the country.
Gabriel was ineligible to face Sabah because his name had not been included on United’s UEFA A list when the squad was submitted on 3 September. The exact explanation for his omission remains uncertain.
His absence from that squad did not stop him from scoring three goals against the same opposition in a UEFA Youth League fixture at Leigh Sports Village earlier on 10 September. He has not returned to United since then, although it remains unknown whether a significant incident occurred following that match.
United, meanwhile, believe they clearly demonstrated that Gabriel was a major part of their long-term first-team plans. However, the player reportedly failed to attend the beginning of the academy’s pre-season programme in early July, one week before the senior squad returned, despite being instructed to report for training.
The club also approached the Premier League to request permission for the forward to display “JJ Gabriel” on his shirt, regarding that effort as another sign of its support for the academy talent.
Gabriel’s official name is Joseph Junior Andreou O’Cearuill, though he is understood to have adopted a different name for commercial reasons.
United further state that Gabriel received support normally available to senior players, including frequent discussions with first-team coaches and nutrition specialists.
His presence in the official senior squad photograph was also regarded by the club as further proof of its commitment to his development and eventual progression into first-team football.
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