Sources: Update on JJ Gabriel quitting Man United as Fifa loophole explained

Manchester United have accepted that they face an "uphill battle" when it comes to keeping hold of young prodigy JJ Gabriel, sources have told Football Insider.

The Red Devils are not giving up hope of securing the 15-year-old's future, but are aware that it is becoming increasingly difficult.

Gabriel recently asked for his boyhood club to cancel his registration, and while United have rejected that demand, they have been caught off guard by the whole situation.

The starlet is expected to try to exploit a "loophole" in FIFA's rules, which allow players with EU passports to move elsewhere in the EU as soon as they turn 16.

Gabriel is set to turn 16 on 6 October, and when that date comes around, United could essentially be "powerless" to prevent him leaving the club.

The Old Trafford outfit are desperately trying to quieten the noise surrounding the emerging forward, but they are running out of time to tie him down.

Man United increasingly resigned to JJ Gabriel exit

Gabriel's sudden desire to leave United has prompted panic behind the scenes at Old Trafford, with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG all now circling.

The forward blasted 23 goals in 23 games in the U18 Premier League last term, and won the league's Player of the Year award, despite only being 14 when the campaign began.

United had intended for Gabriel to be named in the squad for their Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton last week, but his desire to leave quickly put a stop to that.

The club now find themselves effectively stuck between a rock and a hard place, as they too cannot offer Gabriel a scholarship deal until he turns 16.

Recent reports have suggested that Gabriel could potentially gain an EU passport either through his Cypriot mother or his father, who previously represented Ireland internationally.

That is the scenario that United are desperately trying to avoid, but their avenues to do so are extremely limited.

Man United will live to regret JJ Gabriel 'mistake'

Former United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on Monday that United are making a "huge mistake" by losing Gabriel.

The ex-recruitment boss previously warned that clubs must get every single small decision right when managing a young talent of that level.

However, Brown also believes that Gabriel has been influenced into his decision to leave by those around him, rather than it coming from purely him alone.

The situation appears to be increasingly beyond repair for the Red Devils, who are likely to massively regret the whole saga later down the line.