JJ Gabriel could MISS OUT on England squad call up despite Under-18 hope after Man Utd transfer bombshell statement

JJ GABRIEL could miss out on an England youth squad call up as his contract war with Manchester United rages on, reports suggest. The teen starlet dubbed “kid-Messi” had downed tools at Carrington and is demanding the club terminate his contract after being left frustrated over a lack of first-team minutes. JJ Gabriel could miss the next round of England call-ups Credit: PA It comes as his contract war with Man Utd rages on Credit: PA Gabriel, who turns 16 on October 6, was in line to feature in the club’s League Cup clash against Brighton last night. However, his refusal to train ahead of the game saw that decision reversed – and what would have been United’s youngest ever player left out of the squad entirely. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! Gabriel, who is represented by his father, Joe O’Cearuill, has doubled down on his stance and has played his final game for the Red Devils as far as he is concerned. But the youngster’s contract battle with Old Trafford chiefs could see his career at international level impacted as well. According to Telegraph Sport, the 15-year-old could miss England’s next round of international fixtures. Gabriel was part of the last England Under-17 squad in March and could have been in line to star for the Under-18s after scoring a hat-trick in the Uefa Youth League against Sabah for United’s Under-18s last week. But with his head preoccupied with his club future, England bosses may decide Gabriel is not in the right frame of mind to be called up to represent the Three Lions. It is understood England want to call him up, but there is an understanding of the need to put his well-being first with all parties involved said to be in contact over the developing situation. Most read in Sport Man Utd ratings vs Brighton: Lacey a shining light on dark evening as Heaven and Yoro ripped apart MANCHESTER UNITED suffered a humiliating Carabao Cup exit at Old Trafford as Brighton came from two goals down to reach the last 16. It is the first time in 50 years that United have held a 2-0 lead at Old Trafford and lost the game. The Red Devils were in dreamland after early goals from Shea Lacey and Mason Mount, before the Seagulls took control and mounted a stunning comeback. United have not won a domestic cup match since beating Leicester in the FA Cup in February 2025 and again crashed out at first attempt of the Carabao Cup following last season’s horror show at Grimsby. Michael Carrick is feeling the heat after goals Charalampos Kostoulas, Pascal Gross and Maxim De Cuyper ended one of two potential trophy hopes this season. Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the United players from Old Trafford, as Brighton picked up a fifth straight victory in M16... Talks over Gabriel’s future are set to intensify over the international break and his birthday. England’s youth sides only have friendlies to contend with over the break, which would mean his absence isn’t acutely problematic. Man Utd boss Michael Carrick has called for caution over his future and told reporters: “We have to be a little bit careful on that one. He’s a 15-year-old boy. “It’s more about the welfare, the care and the attention of JJ as a child really. “He’s certainly a young man. The situation is what it is, but we have to be a little bit careful about the exposure and how we jump on that.” Gabriel is wanted by some of Europe’s elite football clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City. Ticket + hotel room for Man Utd games GET tickets to see Man Utd at Old Trafford with our hand-picked deals. The packages include an official match ticket and an overnight stay in a nearby hotel. Man United Home Games⚽ 10 Oct v Tottenham Hotspur — BOOK HERE ⚽ 24 Oct v Bournemouth — BOOK HERE ⚽ 3 Nov v Roma — BOOK HERE ⚽ 7 Nov v Aston Villa — BOOK HERE More games available here. *If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. Comment now