Why Gabriel could leave Man Utd

[Getty Images] In the past 24 hours there has been a backlash against JJ Gabriel and his family, for the direction he is taking and around his professionalism and attitude. Sources close to the player believe this is unfair and overlooks the dedication and commitment that mean he is so well-regarded by so many clubs. Sources feel that, in meetings with the United hierarchy that led to Gabriel committing his short-term future to the club last summer, promises were made over his career path that have not been kept. He did start to appear in senior training sessions, initially under Ruben Amorim and then Michael Carrick, but speculation around a senior debut begun last season. It then had been anticipated that Gabriel would feature during United's pre-season programme. His absence from the trip to Helsinki to face Wrexham on 18 July was put down to the date he returned for pre-season training. He was part of every squad after that, but played only once, for eight minutes against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm. Did that lack of action sow the seeds of discontent? Gabriel travelled to Trondheim for the Rosenborg friendly on 24 July and Carrick used 11 substitutes that day, but Gabriel was one of two who did not come on. It was noted that 18-year-old Tynan Thompson was given a 45-minute senior debut against Leeds at Croke Park - another game Gabriel travelled to but was not involved in - three weeks after his arrival from Tottenham . Nevertheless, it was felt Gabriel was likely to become United's youngest player this autumn - probably in the Carabao Cup. While the third-round draw delivered an Old Trafford tie against Brighton , United's Champions League schedule opened up another avenue. It is conceivable that Azerbaijani champions Sabah could be the least difficult home game United have this season. They were 3-0 up at half-time and Carrick had used all five substitutes by the 72th minute. But Gabriel was not among them. As with Max Dowman at Arsenal last season, Uefa's registration rules meant that, because he was 15, Gabriel could only feature if he was named on United's A list of players. United coaches have previously suggested Gabriel is not yet at the physical level required to be a senior player. Sources close to the player reject this. They also cite Sir Matt Busby saying "if you are good enough, you are old enough" They see how Arsenal gave Dowman his chance at 15 and Bayern Munich gave Lennart Karl his debut at 17 - and wonder why United have not done the same with Gabriel.