Man Utd news: Michael Carrick sends JJ Gabriel message as Steven Gerrard weighs in

It has been a difficult start to the season for Manchester United , who have won just one of their opening five matches. Michael Carrick's side suffered a 1-0 defeat to neighbours Manchester City in the Premier League last weekend, while their campaign began with a surprise 2-0 loss to newly promoted Hull .

They were also knocked out of the League Cup by Brighton in midweek, throwing away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2. Things have not been much smoother away from the pitch, either, with injuries continuing to disrupt Carrick's squad.

And now academy diamond JJ Gabriel is pushing to leave the club amid growing uncertainty behind the scenes. The teenager is regarded as one of the most promising young players in world football and has been tipped for a big future at Old Trafford, making his situation an unwelcome development for United.

It has, then, been an unsteady opening to the campaign for the Red Devils, who appear to have lost much of the momentum and optimism they built at the back-end of last season. With that in mind, here are the latest Manchester United headlines:

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Michael Carrick appears to have sent an indirect message to wantaway youngster JJ Gabriel after academy graduate Shea Lacey scored his first goal for Manchester United against Brighton on Wednesday.

Lacey, 19, started on the right wing and opened the scoring after just seven minutes, cutting inside before smashing the ball home with his left foot. The teenager is the latest United academy graduate to make an early impression in the first team, and Carrick was quick to recognise the significance of his achievement.

"I'm delighted for him," he said. "The way the game pans out and the finish of the game and the result, I think it takes it away a little bit but, when the dust settles and he can have a moment, I think he can be very proud of himself because it was a big moment for him."

Carrick then appeared to hint at the importance of United's next generation when discussing who might follow Lacey into the first team.

"So many people in the academy work so hard and it's what this club has been built upon. So Shea's had that moment... and we'll see who brings it on to having the next opportunity because we always look forward to the next one."

Gabriel had initially been tipped to be included in the squad against Brighton but was ultimately left out. The 15-year-old made his senior debut in a pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid in August, playing just eight minutes, and has not featured for the first team since.

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard spoke about the saga involving JJ Gabriel before Saturday afternoon's lunchtime kick-off between Tottenham and Aston Villa .

Gerrard pointed to Manchester United's long-standing record of developing young players and insisted that Old Trafford is a very good environment for Gabriel's progression.

"I don't know what's been said or promised behind the scenes, but from the outside this stinks to me that someone is forcing it and pushing it and rushing it.