Rooney speaks out on wonderkid JJ Gabriel: 'Losing him would be disappointing for Man United'

Wayne Rooney has spoken out about the future of young talent JJ Gabriel, described as a 'special talent' that Manchester United risks losing. During a conversation on the Stick To Football show broadcast on Disney+, Rooney expressed his disappointment at seeing a promising 15-year-old player considering leaving Old Trafford. JJ Gabriel, 15, has asked to leave Manchester United. According to ESPN sources, Barcelona and Real Madrid are two of the clubs closely monitoring the situation. Gabriel turns 16 next month and recently impressed on his UEFA Youth League debut against Sabah by scoring a hat trick. Rooney, a former Manchester United and England legend, shared emotional remarks about the boy he has watched grow up since he was in the same team as his son, Kai. 'I have seen JJ grow up, he has been in Kai's team', Rooney said. 'Anyone close to it knew that was coming.' The former Everton striker also praised Manchester United's efforts to keep the youngster. 'In fairness to Manchester United they have done everything, absolutely everything, to keep him at the club', Rooney stressed. 'The club have treated him probably differently to the other players because he is such a special player. I know, I recognise that, because I was that player at Everton. I was getting that treatment at Everton.' According to Rooney, prioritizing keeping the best players is something any club needs to do. 'As a club, you need to do that to try to keep the better players', he added. However, Rooney did not hide his regret when mentioning the possibility of JJ Gabriel leaving. 'It's disappointing because he is such a top player and a lovely kid', Rooney shared. 'You never know whether it's gone too far or whether there is a chance for him to stay.' Earlier, ESPN reported that Manchester United believe they can rectify the issue. The Red Devils still hope to convince Gabriel to stay, but the interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid makes the future of the 15-year-old unpredictable. JJ Gabriel is not a unfamiliar name for followers of European youth football. Despite being only 15, he has shown ability well above his age. His impressive performance on his UEFA Youth League debut against Sabah, with a hat trick, is the clearest evidence of his enormous potential. Rooney compared Gabriel's situation to his own past, when he was a young talent given special care by Everton. In 2026, Rooney became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history when he scored for Everton at 16 years and 360 days old. That record is now held by Max Dowman of Arsenal, who scored against Everton in March at 16 years and 73 days. Rooney understands better than anyone the pressure and expectations placed on a young talent. From a boy playing at Everton, he became a legend of Manchester United and England. Now, he sees similar potential in JJ Gabriel. 'He is a top player', Rooney said of the 15-year-old. 'His ability, his balance, he has shown he can go up the ages and score goals. The next step is first-team football where it's different, and you never know until you're in there.' 'But he's such a special talent who understands the game really well.' One of the most notable details in Rooney's statement was his assessment of Gabriel's potential first-team debut this season. 'At some point this season he would have made his debut for the first-team, I'd imagine, so that's where it's disappointing', Rooney said. This comment shows the high regard Rooney has for Gabriel. Not every young player is expected to break into the first team at 15 or 16, especially at a big club like Manchester United. The departure of JJ Gabriel, if it happens, would be a significant blow to Manchester United. Not only because of the player's talent, but also because of the message it sends to other young academy players: that even the best talents may not find a path to the first team at Old Trafford. However, the story is not over. Manchester United believe they can solve the issue, and Rooney's public comments could also be part of an effort to keep the youngster. The interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid will surely make the race to sign Gabriel more attractive and intense than ever. Given what he has shown, JJ Gabriel promises to be one of the most talked-about names in the upcoming transfer window. Will he continue his journey at Manchester United or seek a new challenge in Spain? The answer will soon be revealed. Rooney, who has experienced the feeling of being a young talent watched by the whole world, understands the pressure Gabriel is facing. But he also knows that, whether staying or leaving, only the boy himself can decide his future. 'You never know whether it's gone too far or whether there is a chance for him to stay', Rooney said. That statement is both regretful and a fragile hope from a former legend watching a young talent potentially follow the path he once took. In modern football, keeping young talents is increasingly difficult as major clubs across Europe are ready to spend heavily to secure the most promising players. JJ Gabriel is a typical example. The fact that Barcelona and Real Madrid are monitoring him shows that his value goes beyond being an average young prospect. Manchester United, one of the most traditional clubs in the world, understands this. They have done everything to keep Gabriel, according to Rooney. But sometimes, the appeal of clubs playing in the Champions League and competing for major trophies can overcome any efforts by the board. JJ Gabriel is still very young. He has a whole future ahead, and the decision in the coming months could affect his entire career. Will he stay at Old Trafford to continue developing under the guidance of legends like Rooney, or will he leave to seek new challenges at the Bernabeu or Camp Nou? Only time will answer that question. But one thing is certain: the story of JJ Gabriel, a 15-year-old talent with a hat trick in the UEFA Youth League, will continue to be mentioned for a long time. With interest from three major European clubs, the race for his signature promises to be one of the most attractive stories of the youth transfer market. Wayne Rooney, who was once the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history and became a legend, has warned about losing a special talent. Will Manchester United listen and find a way to keep JJ Gabriel, or will they let him go to rivals? Time will tell.