'It stinks' - Steven Gerrard fires JJ Gabriel warning as clubs circle for Man Utd youngster

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has warned JJ Gabriel that he'll face identical challenges at Manchester United and Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho , amid an ongoing tussle over the wonderkid and providing a route into the first-team.

The 15-year-old informed United of his desire to leave amid speculation linking him with La Liga heavyweights Real and Barcelona , having been poised for his United debut in midweek.

The teenager delivered the shock news that he wanted his registration cancelled at Old Trafford, and has not turned out for any of the Reds' sides since. United manager Michael Carrick urged restraint concerning Gabriel following the loss to Brighton .

Carrick said: "It's more about the welfare, the care and the attention of JJ as a child really. He's certainly a young man. The situation is what it is, but we have to be careful about the exposure on that one."

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That view has now been shared by Gerrard, who insists Gabriel's career requires safeguarding. Speaking to TNT Sports , Gerrard said: "It's not just in this situation. Broadly, it scares me in the game that kids can now be rushed or careers can be forced.

"I don't know the details and the background in this isolated situation with JJ Gabriel, but if you look at it all, he's at one of the biggest clubs in the world . They've got a history and a tradition of producing fantastic players.

"There will be top people behind the scenes at Manchester United but the big thing for me is, you've got an English coach [Michael Carrick] and an English assistant manager [Steve Holland] who will want to, when the time is right, and when they think he's ready, protect him... but when they feel he's ready they will play him.

"Not just this situation, the game as a whole, these talents, they have parents, they have agents, outside influences that force and rush too soon, and it can affect a kid's career.

"It is going to add huge pressure, and also if you're another club looking into this situation, you're thinking to yourself, 'yeah, the kid is a big talent', but do you want the baggage and the noise around it?

"Let's use Jose Mourinho for example at Real Madrid. Even if he goes to Real Madrid now, is Jose Mourinho going to play this kid straight away? Is he going to be forced to push him? You know what these elite managers are like, they play kids when they are ready to contribute to the team.

"In my opinion they need to look after the kid's health and his care, but Manchester United can give him that, they've got a history of doing that. I don't see the rush, I don't see the panic.

"I don't know what's been said or promised behind the scenes, but from the outside this stinks to me that someone is pushing, forcing and rushing it. And I don't think it's going to help the kid in any way, shape or form.

"As a say, I'm a big rival of Manchester United, but I've watched Manchester United from afar, there's top coaches there, top people. I know Michael Carrick very well and, if this kid was ready, he'd be getting played."