JJ Gabriel has big boots to fill after Man Utd transfer exit demand as amazing XI of teen stars who left clubs revealed

JJ GABRIEL could be the next football prodigy to hit it big after an early-career move. The Manchester United wonderkid, 15, wants to leave Old Trafford after a breakdown in the relationship between his family and the club, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Barcelona all interested. JJ Gabriel wants to leave Manchester United Credit: Alamy Gabriel has been tipped for future stardom Credit: Alamy His departure would be a crushing blow for the Red Devils, who were expected to hand him first-team opportunities this season. And it would be a gutsy move for Gabriel himself, who has been part of the United set-up since 2022. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! But there is a precedent for youngsters taking a leap of faith and finding success. Goalkeeper: Donnarumma Giant stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma cut his teeth in the familiar surroundings of ASD Club Napoli until the age of 14. City’s current No1 left to join AC Milan in 2013 and was playing first-team football two years later, proving that he was right to take the plunge. Defence: White, Pique, Garcia, Ake Dorset-born Ben White had no choice but to move on after being released by Southampton at 16. But the versatile defender went on to make the grade at Brighton, before becoming a Premier League champion at Arsenal. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Centre-backs Gerard Pique and Eric Garcia both left Barcelona for a taste of first-team football in the Premier League with United and City respectively. Those spells equipped the pair of them to go back to the Nou Camp as first-team stars. And Nathan Ake left Dutch giants Feyenoord to join a stacked Chelsea squad in 2011 before going on to make 17 senior appearances, signing for City and putting together a monster CV of six Prem titles and a Champions League. Ben White found success at Brighton after being released by Southampton Credit: PA Gerard Pique made his senior breakthrough at United before returning to Barcelona Credit: Getty Midfield: Rice, Fabregas, Musiala Letting Declan Rice go at 14 will continue to haunt Chelsea as he has gone on to become a world-beater at West Ham and Arsenal. Jamal Musiala is another who got away from the Stamford Bridge hierarchy – the playmaker heading to Bayern Munich in 2019 before becoming a superstar in Germany. Meanwhile Cesc Fabregas made a big move to Arsenal at 16 which paid off handsomely, with the Spaniard scoring 57 goals in 303 games for the Gunners before returning to Barcelona. Jamal Musiala was poached from Chelsea’s academy by Bayern Munich Credit: Getty Cesc Fabregas’ teenage move to Arsenal paid dividends Credit: Getty Attack: Olise, Vardy, Ngumoha Michael Olise bounced around from youth team to youth team, taking in spells at Arsenal, Chelsea and City before landing at Reading, where he made his breakthrough. Glittering performances for the Royals earned him a move to Crystal Palace, and then a big-money switch to Bayern where he has become a Ballon d’Or-calibre player. Rio Ngumoha on the other flank will hope to hit similar heights. The jet-heeled winger, 18, left Chelsea to join Liverpool in 2024, and looks set to become a star at Anfield, having already scored twice in 35 senior appearances. Through the middle, Jamie Vardy has proved that a brave move at a young age can pay dividends. The former England striker, now 39, was released by Sheffield Wednesday as a teenager and rebuilt his career with non-league side Stocksbridge Park Steels. Michael Olise starred for Reading after bouncing around various youth teams Credit: PA Rio Ngumoha left Chelsea to join Liverpool in 2024 Credit: Getty Comment now