Man City's interest in JJ Gabriel emerges as Marcus Rashford return claim made

All the latest news from Old Trafford, including stories concerning JJ Gabriel and Marcus Rashford

Manchester United are on the cusp of returning to the Champions League – but uncertainty reigns over what next season may look like. For all the good work Michael Carrick has done since taking over from Ruben Amorim, it is still unclear who exactly will lead the club once this campaign is over and done with.

There are similar question marks over a number of players at Old Trafford, not least Marcus Rashford. The 28-year-old is currently out on loan at Barcelona, but there is no guarantee that is where he will end up permanently.

For now, it is down to Carrick to steer the club back to Europe's top table, a quest which continues with a tricky away fixture against Chelsea on Saturday. The Red Devils will be without Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez for that one, with both players out serving suspensions.

Once that trip to Stamford Bridge is out of the way, there are five matches remaining, including the visit of Liverpool at the start of next month. Before all of that, though, Mirror Football have the latest headlines coming out of the Theatre of Dreams, with stories concerning both Rashford and United's newest academy gem, JJ Gabriel.

JJ Gabriel interest

Gabriel may only be 15 years of age – even younger than Arsenal's Max Dowman- but it's already clear there's a big future ahead of him. That future will be at Old Trafford, though only after interest from Manchester City last summer.

According to the Telegraph, City made a concerted effort to entice Gabriel to make the switch to the Etihad, with United reportedly even fearing at one stage that they might lose him. Their interest stemmed from a little-known rule that allows players at the end of their under-14 year to 'serve notice' to leave one club, letting them de-register and then join someone else.

However, United managed to convince the wonderkid to remain at United, which is good news for Carrick or whoever follows him in the hot seat. Gabriel will be back in action tonight (Friday 17 April) when the Red Devils take on Crystal Palace in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup.

Marcus Rashford plea

Rashford revealed at the end of last year that he wants to remain at Barcelona beyond his current loan spell. That possibility is still far from certain – and United great Bryan Robson believes Carrick can bring the England man back into the fold at Old Trafford.

Speaking to Footy Accumulators, Robson said: "I stand by the idea that there’s something wrong if Marcus Rashford can’t enjoy his football at Manchester United. How you can’t enjoy your football at United is beyond me.

"He’s a dangerous player with great ability and pace, but maybe he fell out with Ruben Amorim and out of love with Amorim. If anybody can handle him, Michael Carrick is very good at that kind of thing. Marcus is that kind of player who will score goals. If United get in the Champions League, they’ll need another forward.”