The international break is finally coming to an end and all eyes will return to the Premier League where Manchester United need wins to stop the grumbles that have temporarily been on hold from returning.Old Trafford fans may have enjoyed the angst unfolding on the blue side of Manchester but all is not rosy in the Old Trafford garden either. Although perhaps not as bleak as at the Etihad. But with Michael Carrick’s men back in action against fellow strugglers Spurs at the weekend, Confidential answers your questions on all things United. Is there a chance of JJ Gabriel making a U-turn and are United in touch with his camp? – SaurabhThe clock has been ticking down to JJ Gabriel’s 16th birthday. Now that it’s here, the chances of him staying at Manchester United would appear to be as slim as ever.As of today, the hugely gifted teenager can use his EU passport to leave for a foreign club, as well as formally appoint an agent. United can mark the occasion by offering Gabriel a scholarship, but that will only guarantee them compensation if he leaves – and it’s well known that figure could be as little as £300,000.His camp have been in talks with Europe’s biggest clubs since Gabriel dropped the bombshell news that he wants to go. Real Madrid and Barcelona have been leading the chase, but Paris Saint-Germain have also spoken to him and Bayern Munich are the other main contenders. As of today, the hugely gifted United teenager JJ Gabriel can use his EU passport to leave for a foreign club Gabriel’s final decision could be influenced by which agent he chooses. Up to now, Ali Barat has been advising the family on an informal basisReal have been viewed as slight favourites, and even more so since Barca’s sporting director Deco said the club is ‘not interested in any player in his situation’. However, the Catalans are believed to be in the mix and Gabriel has been training in the Castelldefels area of Barcelona.The final decision could be influenced by which agent he chooses. Up to now, Ali Barat has been advising the family on an informal basis, but he faces competition from a number of other high-profile representatives including Jorge Mendes.United maintain they will not tear up his registration and it would be in the best interests of his career to return to Manchester, but it’s a sign of the dwindling hope that the club are considering legal action if any rules regarding Gabriel’s situation have been broken.It has also emerged that the player made a series of demands – including guaranteed minutes in the games against Sabah and Brighton before even contemplating signing the scholarship forms – which suggests that a U-turn is very unlikely.How close is Carrick to getting sacked? – stevebucknorbewadaahaiThe crisis engulfing Manchester City has taken the heat off some of their Premier League rivals during the international break, and United have been one of the chief beneficiaries in that sense.The owners were coming under fire over the ticket touting clampdown and latest financial results, and head coach Carrick was under pressure after a poor start that has brought one win in five Premier League games and a Carabao Cup exit to Brighton.Carrick doesn’t seem to be under any immediate threat from a hierarchy who have no appetite for change. It’s unlikely they would have sacked his predecessor Ruben Amorim in January were it not for the Portuguese coach’s public meltdown.But even for a man with vast experience of life at United, Carrick has seemed surprised at how quickly the cracks have appeared so early in the season. United lie 12th in the table and he knows that poor results will only be tolerated for so long by his employers and the fans.The only big club performing worse than United are Tottenham who sit rock bottom ahead of their visit to Old Trafford on Saturday. Another defeat would put Carrick under even greater scrutiny but, even then, it’s unlikely the club would hit the panic button just yet. Michael Carrick appears to be safe in the Manchester United hotseat – for now Will De Ligt, Amad and Baleba be fit enough to feature against Spurs? – DREAM CHASERAny news on our injured players? – mufcdsInjuries haven’t helped United in the early stages of the season, particularly because two of the players ruled out – Benjamin Sesko and Luke Shaw – are in positions that the club failed to strengthen before the transfer window closed.Shaw is fit again but two of the players who had to deputise for him at left-back, Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui, were injured on international duty and returned to Carrington for treatment.Mazraoui hurt his back playing for Morocco against Lesotho. The hamstring injury Dorgu sustained playing for Denmark against Wales is of particular concern given that he missed three months of last season with a similar issue.Sesko pulled out of the Slovenia squad after suffering a recurrence of the shin injury that has affected him for most of the year and has been having treatment at the training ground. It has left United without a recognised striker and their next best option, Bryan Mbeumo, has been unable to switch from the right wing because his replacement in that position, Amad Diallo, has not recovered from an injury suffered in pre-season.Sesko, Diallo and Matthijs De Ligt – who continues to be eased back into action slowly after back surgery – were not pictured playing in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Lausanne at Carrington on Friday. Club insiders say that doesn’t necessarily mean they didn’t feature, but there is naturally some doubt that they will be included in the squad to face Tottenham.At least new £70million signing Carlos Baleba made his first appearance against Lausanne after an ankle injury. Carrick must decide if the Cameroon midfielder, who was an unused substitute at Fulham last time out, is ready to start against Spurs. The hamstring injury Patrick Dorgu sustained playing for Denmark against Wales is of particular concern given that he missed three months of last season with a similar issue But at least £70million signing Carlos Baleba played against Lausanne after recovering from an ankle injury. He is now in contention to start against SpursWill United pursue any transfers in January? – PitchSafe1Signing players in January is never ideal, but United may have to revisit the left-back or striker situation depending on how the season goes until then.An inquiry for Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri before the transfer deadline showed that United were aware of the need to strengthen at left-back. The injuries to Shaw, Dorgu and Mazraoui will only have doubled those concerns.United would also have needed a new striker had Joshua Zirkzee left. They will be cursing their luck that Sesko’s recurring shin problem means that the decision not to strengthen in either position has backfired so early in the season when the club’s return to Champions League action was always going to require a deeper squad.United have some back-up options in both areas, but may have to act in the January window if they decide they are not enough. An inquiry for Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri before the transfer deadline showed that United were aware of the need to strengthen at left-back. Will they try again in January?Any takers for Rashford in January or are they gonna have to wait til Carrick gets the sack? Which comes first? – JonZWhy does Rashford only play as a left-winger now? – XerverusUnited were keen to shift Marcus Rashford’s £325,000-a-week salary off their wage bill in the summer, but they couldn’t find a taker for him then and the chances of doing so in January are slim.The club also realised the cost of replacing him when Barcelona paid Newcastle £70m to sign Anthony Gordon to fill Rashford’s shoes at the Nou Camp, and that hasn’t changed either. It feels like one for next summer.In the meantime, Rashford prefers to play off the left flank and there is a feeling that role suits him better as he tries to re-integrate at Old Trafford after a season-and-a-half out on loan rather than carrying the goal-scoring burden as a striker.Mbeumo did well through the middle in pre-season, but he has to play on the right until Diallo is fit again. Matheus Cunha has struggled as a false nine and scored both his goals this season when he reverted to the left. Carrick needs Sesko (or Diallo) fit to get the best out of this attack.