Manchester United have been left confused and shocked after 15-year-old prospect JJ Gabriel asked for his registration at the club to be cancelled, just a day before he was due to be named in the first-team squad to face Brighton in the Carabao Cup. Gabriel had been in line to become United's youngest-ever player in Wednesday's third-round tie at Old Trafford. The club say they are unsure what prompted the request and insist they have done everything possible to show him and his family a clear pathway to the first team, including arranging meetings with former head coach Ruben Amorim and Sir Alex Ferguson.

United believe the situation, first reported by the Telegraph, can still be resolved, noting Gabriel remains under contract until the end of the season and cannot be deregistered despite his request. Born in north London, he joined United at 11, cannot sign professionally until he turns 17 next October, but could sign a scholarship deal at 16. He has become one of the club's brightest young talents, scoring 26 goals in 29 games last season, netting a hat-trick on his Uefa Youth League debut against Sabah, winning United's Jimmy Murphy young player of the year award, and earning two England Under-17 caps.