According to a report by Metro on Thursday, November 5, 2026, Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has urged teenage forward JJ Gabriel to reconsider his decision to leave Old Trafford, using Arsenal youngster Max Dowman as an example of how young footballers should approach their development.

Gabriel has attracted interest from several European clubs after informing Manchester United of his desire to leave in September. The 16-year-old has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to join Real Madrid.

Gabriel, who celebrated his 16th birthday last month, has not trained with United since communicating his intention to depart.

His representatives are understood to have been unhappy with his progress towards the first team and reportedly wanted him to feature in a Champions League match against Sabah FK and a Carabao Cup encounter against Brighton in September.

However, Giggs believes the youngster should exercise patience rather than rush his development by moving away from Manchester United.

The former Wales international understands the challenges of progressing through the club's academy, having joined United as a highly rated youngster before making his senior debut at 17 under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Giggs subsequently enjoyed an extraordinary 24-year career at Old Trafford, winning 34 trophies and establishing himself as one of English football's most decorated players.

Speaking during a conversation with former United defender Rio Ferdinand, Giggs questioned why Gabriel would abandon his current development pathway.

"So far in his career everything is going fine, why would you disrupt that? You're on the right track," Giggs said.

He also highlighted the importance of allowing young players sufficient time to adapt to senior football.

"I trained at 15, I didn't play for the first team until two years later so you have to have that patience that people just don't seem to have at the moment."

Giggs explained that performing at senior level requires a different level of consistency compared with youth football.