JJ Gabriel in Man Utd squad photo, but transfer request row rumbles on

📰 JJ Gabriel features in United's first-team squad photo, but the row over playing time is unresolved and he is still expected to leave. 📌 Key points 🖼️ Gabriel is included in United's official first-team squad photo. 📅 The picture was taken on 8 September, before he asked to leave. ⏱️ His camp demanded at least 20 minutes in three matches. ⚖️ United have warned of legal action over any illegal approach. 🎂 He turns 16 on 6 October and joins the B-list automatically. 📝 What happened 📸 United released their official 2026-27 first-team photographs, and 15-year-old forward JJ Gabriel was among them. It looked like a sign of reconciliation, but Sky Sports reports the picture was taken at Carrington on 8 September, days before his formal request to leave. ⏱️ According to ESPN, Gabriel's representatives asked for him to play at least 20 minutes against Sabah, Brighton and Bournemouth on 25 October before he signed a scholarship. He was ineligible for the first-team tie with Sabah as he was not on the A-list, and scored a hat-trick against the same opponents in the UEFA Youth League that day instead. 🚪 Gabriel walked out before the cup tie with Brighton on 16 September and has not trained since mid-September. United say they provided specialist coaching and the No. 77 shirt he wanted, and are prepared to take legal action if other clubs approach him outside the rules. 🌍 ESPN says Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested, although Barcelona's sporting director has denied it. 📊 By the numbers • Minutes demanded: at least 20 in each of three games • Photo taken: 8 September • 16th birthday: 6 October • UEFA Youth League v Sabah: hat-trick 🔭 Why it matters Gabriel is one of the academy's brightest talents, but without a scholarship signed he could walk away if the relationship breaks down. Several attempts at reconciliation have been made, yet Sky Sports still expects him to leave. At 16 he becomes eligible for matchday squads, and the Bournemouth game his camp named is on 25 October.