Manchester United will return to the pitch in less than a week and first-team players will soon start to flock back from international duty
Manchester United players will soon start to jet back from international duty. There are just six days left until United return to Premier League action against Tottenham.
Head coach Michael Carrick will be hoping for improved results once the domestic campaign resumes. Before a large chunk of his squad headed off to represent their respective countries, United had earned just five points from their first five Premier League games.
Their only league win this season came at home to Ipswich Town, whom they beat 5-2. They were also victorious in their Champions League opener against Sabah FK but have been beaten in the top flight by Hull City and rivals Manchester City, as well as being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton.
Away from the pitch, there have also been setbacks, including the ongoing saga involving JJ Gabriel, who wants to leave. Reports suggest that, should he depart, legal action could be pursued, as Mirror Football brings you the latest news out of Old Trafford.
JJ Gabriel legal action threat
The prodigious Gabriel had become one of United's most promising young players. So he shook the club last month when he formally requested that his youth registration be cancelled with immediate effect.
United denied this, but because he is not yet 16, he cannot be signed up to a scholarship or pro deal. However, Gabriel turns 16 this coming Tuesday, October 6, and when he does, he could get his wish.
As he qualifies for an EU passport thanks to his Irish and Cypriot heritage, he could, thanks to a loophole, sign for clubs on the continent. Despite Barcelona publicly denying interest in signing Gabriel, he has been training in Catalonia. Real Madrid are another club rumoured to be in the mix and if Gabriel does exit, United would only receive a modest compensation fee.
But The Sun now claims that United are contemplating regulatory and possibly legal action against anyone who might negotiate or facilitate Gabriel's departure.
Ali Barat, founder of Epic Sports agency, has stepped in to manage Gabriel and he has had to obtain formal authorisation to represent minors on Gabriel's family's behalf. Talks with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have reportedly been arranged.
Barcelona open to Alejandro Balde transfer
There has also been an update regarding a Barcelona star potentially heading to Manchester. Left-back Alejandro Balde was linked with a move to United in the summer, but he wanted to stay and fight for his place.
Yet now, TEAMtalk claims that Barcelona are ready to let the Spaniard move on loan in January. Balde has fallen down the pecking order at the Nou Camp behind Xavi Espart and others.
It is reported that Balde's representatives are now working hard to facilitate a move away from Barcelona and United had considered him in the summer before focusing on other targets.
United supposedly believe that, at 22, Balde has a high ceiling and can develop into a key defender if he recaptures his best form. He missed out on a spot in Spain's World Cup-winning squad.