JJ Gabriel's chances of staying at Man United revealed by top source

Manchester United still have a 30 per cent chance of keeping hold of their young prodigy JJ Gabriel long-term.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the odds are stacked towards the 16-year-old moving to Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants have established themselves as the favourites to sign the starlet, after Barcelona recently distanced themselves from a move.

Wyness believes that United have now crossed the point of no return with Gabriel, and expects the player and his father to get the move they have been pushing for.

Recent reports have suggested that the Red Devils only stand to earn around £300,000 in compensation if the youngster departs, rather than any proper transfer fee.

Gabriel has been viewed as one of the club's leading academy prospects, but his lack of early senior opportunities has frustrated him.

Man United ready 'ridiculous' move

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that suggestions of United potentially taking legal action against Gabriel are baffling.

The club are reportedly prepared to engage in a lawsuit against the player and his camp if he gets his wish of a move away.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained how that move would be "ridiculous" from the club.

"I think it's about a 30 per cent chance of him staying put and 70 per cent going to Real Madrid. I think it's that far in their favour," he said.

"I think too much has been said and too much has gone under the bridge. Man United either didn't act appropriately; probably last year was the time to do it. They obviously haven't made the window for his success, his match plan and his pathway very clear to him. 

"Or at least if they have, and it's not been satisfactory for the father. Now we know it's difficult, and we discussed before that parents can be very, very hard. 

"I've had very bad experiences with pushy parents who think they know everything, but they don't really because they haven't had the experience of handling it.

"I've had countless young players come through, and I've seen each of them develop in different ways. United are now talking about going legal. I mean, that's ridiculous, and I think it would be the wrong way to go."

Could Antonio Conte replace Michael Carrick?

Former United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier this week that it would be a "massive surprise" if United opted to replace manager Michael Carrick with Antonio Conte in the coming weeks.

The Italian has made it clear that he is keen to return to management, and has already set his sights on the job at Old Trafford.

However, Brown believes that the United hierarchy wouldn't opt for a candidate who has previously been so unspoken against the ownership at his previous clubs.

Brown does not expect Conte to be considered as a "leading candidate" for the United job any more.