MICHAEL CARRICK ISSUES JJ GABRIEL WARNING — Manchester United Boss Urges “Care” For 15-Year-Old Amid Shock Exit Threat

Michael Carrick has urged Manchester United to handle JJ Gabriel’s situation with “care” after the 15-year-old prodigy stunned the club by asking to leave.

Gabriel had been in line to be named in United’s senior squad for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup clash with Brighton, potentially putting him within touching distance of becoming the club’s youngest-ever player.

Instead, those plans were shelved after the teenager reportedly submitted a letter of de-registration and refused to train following his hat-trick for United Under-19s against Sabah last Thursday.

Speaking publicly on the situation for the first time, Carrick stressed that the focus must remain on the youngster’s welfare.

“We have to be a little bit careful on that one. He’s a 15-year-old boy,” Carrick said.

“It’s more about the welfare, the care and the attention of JJ as a child really.”

He added: “The situation is what it is, but we have to be a little bit careful about the exposure and how we jump on that.”

A DEBUT THAT NEVER HAPPENED

Gabriel’s potential appearance against Brighton had carried huge significance.

United’s youngest player on record is goalkeeper David Gaskell, who made his debut aged 16 years and 19 days in 1956. Gabriel had been on course to challenge that mark.

But while his opportunity disappeared, another academy graduate seized his moment.

Shea Lacey was handed his full competitive debut and needed just eight minutes to score his first senior goal, before Mason Mount doubled United’s advantage.

Carrick admitted it was frustrating that Lacey’s breakthrough was overshadowed by everything surrounding Gabriel and United’s eventual collapse.

“It’s a shame that Shea’s moment gets a bit lost,” Carrick said.

He praised the 19-year-old’s achievement, highlighting what it meant to his family, friends and everyone within United’s academy.

“It’s such a great moment for him, for his family, his friends and the whole academy,” Carrick added.

But after Brighton’s Charalampos Kostoulas, Pascal Gross and Maxim De Cuyper turned the game around, Lacey’s night became part of another painful United story.

FROM 2-0 UP TO ANOTHER CUP EXIT

United were booed off after surrendering a two-goal lead to lose 3-2, crashing out of the League Cup at the first hurdle for the second consecutive season.

It was the first time United had led by two goals at home and lost since Tottenham came from behind to beat them 3-2 in 1976.

The defeat came just days after a controversial 1-0 derby loss to 10-man Manchester City, turning a difficult week into an increasingly uncomfortable one for Carrick.

And away from the pitch, United now face uncertainty over Gabriel’s future.

The club are understood to be concerned that the teenager could leave on his 16th birthday next month. Gabriel is reportedly due to turn 16 on October 6, when concerns have been raised that he could move overseas using his Irish passport.

Such a move could potentially allow him to circumvent protections that normally give United greater control over academy departures, although the precise circumstances surrounding his future remain unresolved.

For now, Carrick’s message is clear: whatever happens next, United must remember that behind the headlines and enormous expectations is a 15-year-old.

And the manager believes that part of the story cannot be allowed to get lost.