Man Utd news: 'Ridiculous' JJ Gabriel plan slammed as star punished by club

The pressure has been mounting on Manchester United and their manager Michael Carrick after another defeat in midweek. The Red Devils have now gone more than a month without a win in any competition and face a tough trip to Leeds United on Sunday afternoon.

United's frustrations have spilt over into off-field matters as well. Talented academy star JJ Gabriel looks poised to leave the club before playing a senior competitive minute after frustrations at a lack of action this term.

Carrick's team sit 13th heading into this weekend's action, three points and six places behind their opponents. If other results go the way of struggling teams on Saturday, United could be looking over their shoulders by the time they kick off at Elland Road.

As we head into a potentially pivotal weekend, there has also been further fallout from the frustrating Champions League loss against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Here are our latest likes from around Old Trafford.

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Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has been left baffled by suggestions Manchester United might take legal action over JJ Gabriel's desire to leave. The teenager requested the club cancel his registration - something United have seemingly been unwilling to do - but a move to the continent still looks more likely than not.

"I think it's about a 30 per cent chance of him staying put and 70 per cent going to Real Madrid . I think it's that far in their favour," Wyness told Football Insider

"I think too much has been said and too much has gone under the bridge. Man United either didn't act appropriately; probably last year was the time to do it. They obviously haven't made the window for his success, his match plan and his pathway very clear to him."

He added: "I've had countless young players come through, and I've seen each of them develop in different ways. United are now talking about going legal. I mean, that's ridiculous, and I think it would be the wrong way to go."

United have slapped Lisandro Martinez with a fine following his outburst in the aftermath of Tuesday's defeat in Spain, according to BBC Sport . The centre-back launched into a tirade in which he appeared to indicate the club's summer business left them ill-equipped to kick on after qualifying for the Champions League.

Martinez, for his part, has issued an apology for his words. "Today I met with the club's leadership and the manager. It was a very positive conversation, where we were able to exchange views and speak openly about what happened after Tuesday's game," the Argentina international wrote on social media.

"Everyone knows that I am a passionate person and that I live football with great intensity. The frustration of the defeat led me to express how I felt at a time and place that perhaps were not the right ones, and for that I want to apologise."