JJ Gabriel asks to leave Manchester United as Real Madrid join the chase

Fifteen-year-old forward JJ Gabriel has asked to leave Manchester United, a week after scoring a hat-trick on his Uefa Youth League debut.

• Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are leading talks aimed at persuading Gabriel to reverse his decision and stay.
• Real Madrid is working to sign Gabriel, competing with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain, who are monitoring his situation.
• Gabriel turns 16 on 6 October, when his registration with United, currently running to the end of the season, could lapse without compensation.
• Under-21s coach Adam Lawrence said his first job regarding Gabriel is "not to ruin him".
• Manchester United could receive only about £300,000 in compensation if Gabriel leaves.
• Gabriel, who holds an Irish passport, could move within 21 days under post-Brexit rules.
• Gabriel requested to cancel his registration partly because of limited playing time during preseason under Michael Carrick.
• Manchester City and Chelsea have also joined the race for Gabriel, alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
• Nike and Adidas are competing to secure Gabriel's sponsorship amid the scramble for his signature.