Wayne Rooney has admitted it would be “disappointing”. Manchester United lose highly-rated youngster JJ Gabriel, who describes the 15-year-old as a “special talent”.
Gabriel has asked to leave United despite being regarded as one of the most promising players in the club’s academy, with Barcelona i Real Madrid between the clubs that control their situation.
The teenager turns 16 next month and recently made an impressive UEFA Youth League debut against Sabah, scoring a hat-trick.
Rooney, who has watched Gabriel develop through his son Kai’s age group, said United have made significant efforts to convince the youngster to stay at Old Trafford.
“I’ve seen JJ grow up, he’s been in (my son) Kai’s team,” Wayne Rooney said on Stick To Football on Disney+. “Anyone nearby knew it was coming.
“To be fair to Manchester United, they have done everything, absolutely everything, to keep him at the club.
“The club has probably treated him differently to other players because he is such a special player. I know that, I admit that, because I was that player at Everton. I got that treatment at Everton.
“As a club, you have to do it to try to keep the best players.
“It’s disappointing because he’s a very important player and a lovely boy.
“You never know if he’s gone too far or if there’s a chance he’ll stay.”
Rooney compares Gabriel to his own breakthrough at Everton
Rooney knows better than most what it’s like to be identified as an outstanding young player at an early age.
The former England and Manchester United striker became the The Premier League the youngest goalscorer when he scored for Everton against Arsenal in 2002 aged 16 years and 360 days.
That record has since been broken by Arsenal youngster Max Dowman, who scored against Everton in March aged 16 years and 73 days.
Rooney believes Gabriel has shown many of the qualities needed to progress through the age groups and eventually make the step up to senior football.
“He’s a top player,” Rooney said of the 15-year-old. “His ability, his poise, he’s shown he can come up with age and score goals. The next step is first-team football, where it’s different, and you never know until you’re there.
“But he’s such a special talent who understands the game so well.”
It is understood that United believe there is still a chance to resolve the situation and keep Gabriel at the club.
Rooney suggested the youngster could have had a chance in Ruben Amorim’s first team at some point this season had he stayed at Old Trafford.
The former United captain said Gabriel’s development means he is now approaching the point where senior football could become his next challenge.
“At some point this season he would (have) made his first-team debut, I imagine, so that’s where it’s disappointing.”
