Manchester United legend Gary Neville criticized JJ Gabriel's agents for mishandling the teenager's desire to leave Manchester United.

The news came as a shock to Manchester United. Just five days earlier, the club had been preparing for Gabriel to make his first-team debut in Wednesday's 3-2 League Cup loss to Brighton, following a hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut.

Gabriel has reportedly formally submitted notice to cancel his registration with the club in order to become a free agent.

Gary Neville subsequently criticized JJ Gabriel's agents, believing they mishandled the teenager's push to leave Manchester United.

"There's been a major announcement from a prominent journalist, which has obviously been leaked," Gary Neville said on the latest episode of Stick to Football.

"If it wasn't leaked by the club, then it couldn't have been in the club's interest to leak it, especially not after a weekend match."

"So the player's agents must have put the news out."

"They've decided to take an extreme approach and just say, 'We want JJ Gabriel out of Manchester United.' What worries me is, do those who represent him really think this is good for the kid?"

Roy Keane echoed Gary Neville's sentiments, adding: "Are you telling me he just can't wait? If you're 15 and you're talking about playing for Manchester United's first team, then wait. If Manchester United can progress in the cup, can't he wait another six weeks?"

"Carrick is under immense pressure. Obviously, Ferguson would bring young players directly into the first team. But Manchester United needs to win now."

"I don't think Manchester United would say, 'We can give this cup game a miss tonight and put in a few young players.'"

"What they should be thinking now is, 'We need to get the season going. If some 15-year-old is throwing a tantrum, we'll deal with it.'"

Gary Neville then brought up Arsenal's handling of Max Osborn as a reference point for how to manage the JJ Gabriel situation.

"I can't see any reason why any agent of a 15-year-old would think it's a good idea to put his name in the spotlight right now," Gary Neville continued.

"You should be trying to put out the fire, right? Not pouring fuel on it."

"Remember when Max Osborn came on as a substitute last year? Sky Sports probably wanted to interview him after the game. Arsenal said no. They immediately took him back to the dressing room. He was back in school on Monday morning."

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