JJ Gabriel's pathway has become clearer should he complete a move to Real Madrid

When 16-year-old sensation JJ Gabriel demanded to cancel his Manchester United registration in September, shockwaves reverberated across Old Trafford.

Europe’s elite immediately circled, but it is Real Madrid who have seized pole position. The Manchester Evening News understands negotiations are now at an advanced stage to bring the gifted forward to the Spanish capital this January, although the transfer will be subject to FIFA's strict regulations on the transfer of minors..

While Gabriel will initially cut his teeth with Madrid’s Castilla reserve side, Jose Mourinho’s track record of fast-tracking elite young talent could soon see the teenager thrust into the Bernabeu spotlight far sooner than anticipated.

The teenager's eagerness to depart United is understood to derive from his camp's conviction that the club are not operating at the same level as the European heavyweights who have courted his signature. Gabriel's omission from the club's Champions League squad reportedly left his family disheartened and proved a significant factor in his determination to seek pastures new.

A swift pathway into first-team football this season was clearly a driving force for Gabriel, with the Manchester Evening News previously reporting the player's representatives requested that he feature for at least 20 minutes across United's matches against Sabah, Brighton and Bournemouth.

The request was rejected and ultimately played a part in Gabriel's wish to explore opportunities elsewhere. While Madrid is renowned for showcasing world-class players rather than nurturing young prospects, Gabriel might draw encouragement from Mourinho, who previously emphasised his track record of promoting academy graduates during his inaugural press conference as United manager in 2016.

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The Portuguese manager had faced criticism over the limited number of youth players who featured throughout his spells at Chelsea, Inter Milan and his initial period at Madrid between 2010 and 2013.

In typical Mourinho style, he arrived ready to confront his detractors as he declared: "I have promoted 49 youth players from academies. If you want, I can give you that list." He then presented a list to the room and added: "Two factors that are very important on these records, because sometimes you promote because you don't have another chance or so many injuries, you have to bring them in.

"The second factor is when you are not playing for big targets, then it is easier to bring them up. My record with injuries is very low – even from the UEFA studies, there were many times the team with the least injuries in the whole of Europe was mine."

Mourinho then reflected on the calibre of the players he has brought through and the honours they have achieved at the elite level of the game. He added: "Last year, the only season of my career that I was not fighting for the title – every other season I was winning or finishing second, or finish third once but still fighting for the title.

"I still did 49 and some of them we are speaking about big names – players that today are Champions League winners, playing for national teams. Forty-nine is a lot. Once more – it's one lie repeated many times. Sometimes it looks like it might be true but it is always true. Many of you... the names. If you want them, I'll give them to you."

While JJ Gabriel is departing United due to a shortage of first-team opportunities, Mourinho's comments indicate he remains prepared to offer anyone an opportunity to demonstrate their worth if they possess the ability.