Highly rated 15-year-old striker JJ Gabriel is on the verge of leaving Manchester United. He won the Premier League Under-18 Player of the Year award last term, made his senior debut in pre-season against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm, and scored a hat-trick on his Uefa Youth League debut.

The precise issues are unclear, but Gabriel did not train with Michael Carrick's squad last week amid problems between his family and the club. Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are directly involved in talks.

Gabriel has sent formal notice to cancel his registration, though United can challenge it. He turns 16 on 6 October, when he could sign a scholarship. Born in London, he scored twice on his Under-18 debut at 14.

United face embarrassment if they cannot resolve the situation. One source called him "the best 15-year-old in Europe."