Real Madrid and Barcelona monitoring Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel

Real Madrid and Barcelona are monitoring Manchester United teenager JJ Gabriel, according to ESPN, with both clubs considering a move for the highly rated youngster during the summer.

Real Madrid are understood to be planning to initially place Gabriel in their reserve team if they complete a deal, before assessing his prospects of joining the senior squad.

The 15-year-old’s future at Manchester United has become uncertain, with several reports suggesting he has asked to leave the club. BBC has reported that Gabriel did not train with Michael Carrick’s first team at the end of last weekend, amid difficulties in the relationship between his family and Manchester United.

Gabriel is understood to have formally notified the club of his wish to cancel his registration immediately. Manchester United have the right to challenge that request.

Chief executive Omar Berrada and the club’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, are involved in discussions with Gabriel’s family. His contract runs until the end of the season.

Rapid progress at Manchester United

Gabriel made his first appearance for Manchester United’s senior side in a pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm last month.

He was also expected to make his competitive debut on Wednesday evening, when Manchester United host Brighton at 10pm in the round of 32 of the English League Cup.

The teenager scored a hat-trick in his first UEFA Youth League match last week, further highlighting his rapid progress through the club’s teams.

Gabriel was born in London and scored twice on his debut for Manchester United Under-18s when he was only 14. He joined the club’s reserve-team set-up this season.

Despite still being under 14 last season, Gabriel won the Premier League Under-18 Player of the Season award. He was also named Manchester United’s Under-18 Player of the Season.

Last season, he helped Manchester United reach the finals of both the FA Youth Cup and the Premier League Under-18 competition.

The reports of interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona come as Manchester United attempt to resolve the situation surrounding one of their most promising young players.