Man United have made a 'huge mistake' with JJ Gabriel - 'They will regret this'
Manchester United will be making a "huge mistake" in losing JJ Gabriel despite concerns about how he has handled the situation.
The 15-year-old is extremely highly rated at Old Trafford, where there is a belief he is the best player of his age in the country and will go on to achieve big things.
However, he is now seeking to cancel his registration and move elsewhere amid concerns about his pathway into the senior team under Michael Carrick's management.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the club had been warned they would have to manage his development carefully given his obvious talent.
Those concerns have now come to the forefront, with the player seeking a move to another top club after not having yet made his first competitive appearance in senior football.
With the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich circuling, there is a feeling that Man United will rue letting Gabriel leave at this stage.
Why are Man United set to lose JJ Gabriel?
Football Insider revealed on 20 September that Man United feel they could be losing the "next Lionel Messi" and are disappointed with Gabriel's desire to leave.
However, a number of elite clubs across European football have been placed on high alert by his unrest, with the likes of Real Madird and PSG keen.
Man United had a long-term plan for Gabriel's development, despite his immediate frustrations, but there are now concerns that they got his development wrong.
"Man United are making a huge mistake with JJ Gabriel," Brown told Football Insider.
"We spoke about him months ago and I said they have got to be very careful with his development because they have got to get it right, but that hasn't been the case.
"He's obviously unhappy with how things have gone, and now they're talking about clubs like Real Madrid or PSG being interested, that's the level of talent he is.
"Obviously the player could have handled things better, I think it's fair to say at this stage that Man United should let him move on rather than cause any more issues.
"I'm not saying they should have bowed to his demands by any means, but there are things they could have done to convince him of their long-term plan that haven't been done.
"Ultimately, it's a shame, because no 15 year old is demanding to leave Man United, that's down to the other influences around him.
"But Man United could have done more to keep hold of him, and they will regret this if he goes on to hit the levels expected of him."
Will Man United make money from Gabriel's departure?
Alongside Man United's concern about losing a talented young player in the form of Gabriel, there have also been issues raised about the financial implications of the deal.
Given the high hopes for his long-term development, the attacking midfielder is being tipped to become one of the best players in the world within the next decade.
However, former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson told Football Insider that Man United will only be due a minimal compensation fee if he remains in England.
Should Gabriel join an English club, amid interest from Chelsea and Man City, the Red Devils will be due a likely fee between £100,000 and £150,000.
A move to a European club is considered more likely, though, and that would allow the teenager to move on without any compensation being paid to Man United.