‘I just don’t see the logic’: Neville reacts to breaking news he’s hearing out of Man Utd this week

Gary Neville has given his verdict on the latest speculation surrounding JJ Gabriel’s Manchester United future.

The forward is said to be on the verge of leaving United after spending four years in the academy.

JJ Gabriel: The state of play

This week, news broke confirming that Gabriel had asked for the club to de-register him and sanction his exit with immediate effect.

Remarkably, the 15-year-old was on the verge of being granted his senior debut, which was pencilled in for last night’s Carabao Cup clash with Brighton and Hove Albion.

That was until Gabriel refused to train in the lead-up to the tie, ruling him out of the midweek encounter.

It’s thought that United bringing on youngsters Shea Lacey, 19, and Harry Amass, also 19, in last week’s Champions League win over Sabah was the final straw for Gabriel and his family, who have been impatiently waiting for him to feature for the first team.

What next for wantaway Gabriel?

The highly-rated attacker is now garnering interest from suitors in England and across the continent, with Barcelona and Real Madrid particularly keen on securing his signature.

United are still hoping they can amend the situation and have Gabriel stay committed to the club, though it remains to be seen how things can be resolved, given the uproar in recent days.

Unsurprisingly, it was a talking point on Stick to Football, as Neville reacted: “I just don’t see the logic from any representatives of a 15-year-old boy who think it’s a good idea to put his name in lights right now. You want to try and sort of douse the flames, don’t you? You don’t want to add fuel to a fire.

“Max Dowman, if you remember, last year when he came on [to make his debut for Arsenal], Sky [Sports] probably asked for an interview at the end of the game. Arsenal said no. They got him straight back into the changing room. He’s back at school on the Monday morning.”