Finally! Michael Carrick breaks silence on 15-year-old Manchester United star asking to leave

Michael Carrick has finally addressed one of the most sensitive situations currently surrounding Manchester United.

Details: The Manchester United head coach has spoken publicly about JJ Gabriel after the 15-year-old academy forward formally asked the club to cancel his registration. Carrick stressed that the teenager's age must remain at the centre of how the situation is handled and urged everyone involved to be extremely careful.

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Carrick explained that the priority for Manchester United is Gabriel's welfare, care and protection rather than the enormous public attention surrounding his future. The coach reminded reporters that Gabriel is still only 15 and described the matter as a particularly sensitive one.

The manager also confirmed that he is personally involved in the conversations taking place inside the club regarding the youngster. Carrick did not reveal details of those discussions or speculate about Gabriel's next step, instead repeating that United must handle the case responsibly.

Gabriel's request came at a remarkable moment in his development. Manchester United had been preparing to include the academy prospect in the squad for the Carabao Cup meeting with Brighton, where a competitive appearance could have made him the youngest first-team player in the club's history.

It is worth noting that Gabriel recently scored a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut as Manchester United defeated Sabah 5-0. At 15 years and 339 days, he became the club's youngest hat-trick scorer in the competition. Last season he also scored 23 goals in 23 U18 Premier League appearances and became the youngest winner of United's Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award.

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