JJ Gabriel has asked to leave
JJ Gabriel wants out. The 16-year-old has asked to leave Manchester United, and Barcelona is his preferred destination (13). He turned down Chelsea and is choosing between four top clubs on the continent (13).
Bayern Munich have already met his representatives, with further talks planned for Monday (1). Chelsea's hope of signing him is fading, and a move abroad looks the likeliest outcome (8).
United's hope of keeping one of the academy's brightest talents is running out.
Get the next Manchester United FC brief by email
This article went out to subscribers as a brief. Get the next one straight to your inbox, free.
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Zirkzee could go, and that unlocks Mateta
Joshua Zirkzee's lack of minutes has AC Milan circling, and Ruben Amorim is open about it: "I want to keep Josh because he gives everything and he's trying in training, but we don't know. The window is open, and we will see what happens. We just need to focus on training" (2).
Zirkzee leaving could smooth United's path to Jean-Philippe Mateta. United never dropped their interest in the Crystal Palace striker and could move in January (7).
A defensive rebuild is coming
Leny Yoro's limited role under Michael Carrick has raised questions about his future, and United are already watching three centre-backs for 2027 (4).
Diogo Dalot could be the first out. A January exit to one of the Spanish giants is on the table, and selling him would fund the overhaul (9).
United also want Murillo. Liverpool and Chelsea are linked, but United are assessing how to get the Nottingham Forest defender next year (6).
Left-back is the priority position
Lewis Hall tops United's left-back list, and Myles Lewis-Skelly is a name they really like (10).
United have sent scouts to watch Peyton Miller, the 18-year-old New England Revolution left-back, with Arsenal and Liverpool also tracking him (12).
Luke Shaw's injury record is the reason all of this is happening. Carrick pushed INEOS to fix left-back in the summer window (10).
€100m for Fermin Lopez
United are ready to pay over €100m for Fermin Lopez, seen as a long-term successor to Bruno Fernandes (3). Barcelona will not negotiate (3).
Bournemouth want €80m to €90m for Alex Scott, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea also watching (11).
United and Arsenal must wait until next summer for Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic (14).
Müller confirms the €100m bid
Thomas Müller has confirmed United bid around €100m for him in 2015. Bayern said no. "But I was under contract and Bayern said no," he said (5).
Louis van Gaal was the reason he thought about it (5).
Tottenham next, then Atlético
Tottenham at home on Saturday, 18:30 CEST (Premier League). United sit 12th on 5 points from 5 games, with a 0 goal difference.
Then Atlético Madrid away on Tuesday, October 13 at 21:00 CEST in the Champions League, and Leeds away on Sunday, October 18 at 15:00 CEST.
Last time out, United drew 1–1 at Fulham on Sunday, September 20.
Fan reactions
The mood on r/reddevils is split between Europe and home. One thread maps out United's Champions League away destinations, and another is running a countdown of the top 20 United European away goals. European away goals thread
