It's been a rough week for Manchester United. On Sunday, around 500 fans protested ownership before the Manchester derby, where City won 1-0 via a wrongly awarded Erling Haaland goal. United got an apology from Pro Ref, but the damage was done.

On Tuesday, 15-year-old wonderkid JJ Gabriel requested to leave. United are surprised and unclear why. Director of football Jason Wilcox had led a charm offensive in 2025 to keep him, and Gabriel debuted in preseason against Atletico Madrid.

He's scored twice in Premier League 2 and a hat trick in the UEFA Youth League. United hope to turn it around; he's under contract until season's end and can sign scholarship forms at 16. A win against Brighton in the Carabao Cup would help lift the mood.