JJ Gabriel photo with Barca legend sets alarm bells sounding at Man Utd

JJ Gabriel had another stunning season for the Manchester United youth team but new photos suggest Barcelona are cosying up to him.

The 15-year-old has hit the headlines for the United U8 side with 21 goals in 23 and helped them to the FA Youth Cup Final.

He was named Best Player for U18 Premier League season due to his sharp shooting but his performances have also attracted clubs across Europe.

The comparisons to Lamine Yamal are beginning to feel more like a reasonable benchmark.

Some inside the club are suggesting he could be one of the best ever talents the Academy has produced.

And for that reason images published by Gabriel of him with Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets and current goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny should be troubling.

The images will sound alarm bells at Old Trafford with Gabriel spending his holidays in Castelldefels, on the outskirts of Barcelona.

The Catalan side are the main club that has been chasing his signature. They have been tempting him with the possibility of linking up with Lamine Yamal.

And in one photo Gabriel even has himself pictured with Yamal. Barca have kept a channel open with the family and are continually inviting them over to Barcelona.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have also been keeping tabs, with Gabriel's Irish passport a key factor — it allows him to play in the European Union from the age of 16 rather than 18, making him a particularly attractive target for continental clubs.

United have not been passive and they are doing their best to make sure he doesn't leave.

Director of football Jason Wilcox made a key personal intervention to prevent Gabriel from leaving describing him as "one of the best and most wanted talents".

Barca can't do very much until Gabriel turns 17 and can sign a professional contract with United having prepared a contract for him and buy-out clause of £1billion.

But United have gone further than paperwork. Gabriel's family have been given perks at Old Trafford, including a box at the new stadium, as the club rolls out the red carpet in every way possible.

And at first-team level, manager Michael Carrick has been briefed on the need to keep Gabriel feeling valued and part of the senior picture.

Carrick has integrated the 15-year-old into senior training, and he is scheduled to play for the first team during their pre-season tour.

Even under Ruben Amorim, he personally met Gabriel and told him he would receive first-team training opportunities — with an eye on a potential debut in 2026-27.

During their conversation, Amorim spoke passionately about discipline and dedication, using Cristiano Ronaldo's work ethic as an example — a story that, by all accounts, resonated deeply with the teenager.

Former United defender Wes Brown, who has watched Gabriel closely, captured the mood around Carrington perfectly. "The talent is there. Crazy talent," Brown said.

"It is about timing with JJ Gabriel. For United, it is about getting him in at the right time where he can do well, where he will be appreciated."

Barcelona will not give up easily and what is most worrying for United fans is that Gabriel's father and his representatives appear to be flirting with other clubs.