Wayne Rooney defends Manchester United over JJ Gabriel exit
Old TraffordManchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer Wayne Rooney has stated that the club exhausted every option to prevent teenager JJ Gabriel from leaving Old Trafford.
The 15-year-old forward recently submitted a formal request to terminate his youth registration at the club. This comes amid heavy interest from European giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Rooney backs club efforts
Rooney revealed that people closely connected to the academy were already anticipating the departure. He praised the Old Trafford hierarchy for how they handled the exceptionally gifted youngster.
Speaking on Disney+’s Stick to United, Rooney said:
I think that anyone close to it knew that was coming. In fairness to Manchester United, they’ve done everything, they’ve done absolutely everything to keep him, to keep him at the club.
Rooney drew comparisons to his own teenage breakthrough at Everton. He noted that exceptional talents frequently require distinct care to fend off outside advances.
Speaking on Disney+’s Stick to United, Rooney said:
The club have treated him probably differently to the other players because he is such a special talent. I know, I recognise, I understand that because I was that player at Everton and I was getting that treatment at Everton which was you’re getting a bit more, your parents get given stuff, you’re getting that special treatment more than the other players are getting.
A likely switch to Spain
Speculation has linked the player with a future in La Liga, aided by the fact that he holds an Irish passport through his father. This nationality route means an overseas transfer could materialise when he turns 16 at the start of October.
Rooney believes a desire to play abroad has lingered in the background for quite some time. Talks have already been held in Spain with interested parties.
Speaking on Disney+’s Stick to United, Rooney said:
I think it’s been known that there’s been a desire to go and play probably in Spain, I think, I might be wrong, but this is what you’ve heard over the years.
Despite the frustration of losing such a promising prospect, Rooney acknowledged the human side of the exit. He described the teenager as a polite and wonderful person.
Speaking on Disney+’s Stick to United, Rooney said:
It’s just disappointing, of course, because he is such a top player and he’s a lovely kid.
Stellar youth record
The forward has lit up the youth setup with brilliant displays. He boasts an impressive return of 29 goals and four assists across 32 matches for the Under-18s side.
He has also contributed two goals and two assists in two appearances for the Under-21s. Furthermore, he netted a brilliant hat-trick against Sabah Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League earlier this month.
Carrick urges caution
Friction arose because the youngster managed only one pre-season outing and missed out on the Champions League fixture against Sabah. However, manager Michael Carrick wants the media storm surrounding the teenager to calm down.
Speaking about the sensitive situation, Carrick told reporters:
He’s a young boy, JJ, and I think it’s important that we certainly don’t play anything out here.
Carrick stressed the need to shelter the player from excessive media attention. The manager wants the priority to remain on the welfare of the academy product.
Carrick also told reporters:
I think the exposure and the scrutiny and everything, you’ve got to be careful and be sensible and think of him as much as anything.
