JJ Gabriel is still expected to leave Manchester United despite featuring in the club's squad photo for the 2026/27 season.

Sky Sports News understands the picture was taken on September 8, when Gabriel was still at the club and expected to feature for the first team this season.

It was just days later that Gabriel and his family then put in a formal request to leave.

Gabriel remains registered with United and Sky Sports News understands multiple attempts have been made to reconcile the situation with the 15-year-old and his family, with duty of care being a factor for such a young player, but no progress has been made.

Gabriel has attracted the interest of Europe's biggest clubs and talks have taken place between his camp and the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, with PSG and Bayern Munich also interested in the young attacking talent.

From United's perspective, they feel they have done all they can to show Gabriel and his family a clear pathway to their first team while also protecting his long-term development.

This involves, for example, featuring in the first-team squad photo that was released on Monday - a message he was to be involved in Michael Carrick's plans this season.

Another action they would point to is having Gabriel train with the first team for pre-season while also making his debut against Atletico Madrid in a friendly during that time.

However, Gabriel and his family would point to wanting more than the eight to nine minutes off the bench that he got in that particular game.

Gabriel's involvement in pre-season came after the 15-year-old failed to report back with the academy squad at the beginning of pre-season as expected.

The U21s arrived back at Carrington a week before the first team, and Gabriel was due back at the same time.

But his family believed it was beneath him and were of the view he should only be involved in first-team training and so pulled him out of reporting back with the U21s.

Sky Sports News also understands Gabriel had an individual development plan led by first-team coaches at the club, including the first-team's medical and performance departments - who all engaged with Gabriel and his family to ensure he was receiving the attention they felt he deserved.

However despite there being a feeling from inside the club the relationship between them and Gabriel's camp was harmonious, there was a difference in opinion over how much he would feature for the first-team at the beginning of the season.

Gabriel and his family requested the 15-year-old feature for at least 20 minutes against Sabah in the Champions League, Brighton in the FA Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League on October 25. This was all before beginning negotiations around a scholarship contract to secure his future at the club.

Gabriel was ineligible for the first-team tie against Sabah as he was not put in United's A-list. Instead he played against the Azerbaijani side in the UEFA Youth League that day instead and scored a hat-trick.

When Gabriel turns 16 - on October 6 - he would automatically be added to the club's B-list and would be eligible for matchday squads going forward - but Gabriel's family will believe that was the opportune moment for him to be involved in first-team action.

Gabriel has not trained with United since.

Club sources believe the tension between the two camps stem from Gabriel's family wanting to chase historical records and United wanting to protect his long-term development.

To this point, no club-to-club contact has been made regarding the availability of JJ Gabriel.

Sky Sports News has been told if a European club tries to lure him away through a FIFA loophole, United will consider legal action.

It is presumed from the club's perspective that the change in attitude from Gabriel's family around the Sabah game revolves around promises made from elsewhere - whether from another European club or potential representation acting on Gabriel and his family's behalf.

For now the teenager remains a Manchester United player and despite the fractured relationship, those at the club still believe they are the best place for Gabriel and his individual development.

However, it remains unlikely we will ever see Gabriel in a United shirt again, with Europe's biggest clubs circling the young star.

Sky Sports News has contacted Gabriel's family for comment.