Man Utd news: JJ Gabriel left in transfer lurch as Michael Carrick told to change plans

· Mirror

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has been told to tweak his plans amid the latest update regarding JJ Gabriel's future at Old Trafford

Michael Carrick's Premier League return hasn't gone to plan after Manchester United suffered further hurt on Saturday. Ten-man Tottenham snatched a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford following Dominic Solanke's late equaliser.

The international break was viewed as an opportunity for United to hit the reset button and rediscover some of last season's form. In reality, the club is in the midst of its worst start to a league campaign in 40 years.

Carrick & Co travel to Spain for a Champions League showdown against Atletico Madrid next up on Tuesday. Before that, Mirror Football takes a look through some of the latest headlines emerging from Old Trafford.

Bayern leave Gabriel in limbo

The positive news for JJ Gabriel and his team is that Bayern Munich are interested in his services after reportedly entering talks to sign the player. The bad news is they're yet to receive an offer from the Bundesliga giants as the January transfer window edges closer.

That's according to Sky Sport in Germany, which has reported Die Roten want a commitment from the player first. However, that may be tricky in the current landscape amid speculation he favours a move to Spain, with Barcelona and Real Madrid also said to be interested.

It's no secret Gabriel, who turned 16 this month, and his entourage are seeking a way to get him out of Old Trafford. United have reportedly rejected the teenager's request to be deregistered from the club so he can complete a move elsewhere.

Much will depend on whether Gabriel succeeds in obtaining a European Union passport so he can obtain an EU work permit. However, that isn't expected to be an issue, as he is pursuing a Cypriot passport and also has a chance of obtaining Irish credentials.

United are said to be eager to hang on to their starlet despite a breakdown between the club and the player. This reportedly stems from Gabriel's team demanding a greater guarantee of first-team minutes that went ignored.

Carrick urged to change midfield

Amid the fallout from Saturday's disappointing draw at home to Spurs, United icon Gary Neville has called for change. Specifically in midfield, where he believes the club has already "seen enough" of Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans as a midfield pivot.

The engine-room duo were hardly the only players to endure unremarkable outings for United this past weekend. However, Neville would like to see other combinations trialled and hinted Carlos Baleba could be one answer after impressing off the bench.

Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, he said: "[The team is] not running enough, they're not showing enough tenacity, determination and fighting spirit. The boos tell you they are really despondent with what they are watching."

Neville continued: "Tielemans and Mainoo, I think we’ve seen enough of it now. Not calling time on it, that’s probably too drastic. But I’ve seen enough of it to think, ‘That’s not dynamic enough to play at this football club in the Premier League'.

> "They’re both good players, by the way. But sometimes they don’t knit together or suit together, when Baleba came on that looked like a lot more energy. But the rest of them will have to get a grip."

Mainoo lost possession five times at Old Trafford on Saturday, more than any other player on the park. Meanwhile, Tielemans completed just 81 per cent of his passes in what was a wasteful day at the office.

Baleba could be handed a more prominent role after overcoming an injury to make his club debut against Spurs. Fellow summer signing Andrey Santos was an unused substitute against Tottenham, as was Mason Mount.

Read the original

People in this story

Related