Manchester United have a very talented group of under-18 footballers right now, with Darren Fletcher building a team out of young wonderkids.
The summer saw almost a new era for the Manchester United academy, with U18 lead coach Adam Lawrence exiting the club as he sought a new challenge.
Nick Cox appointed Darren Fletcher U18 head coach to replace Lawrence, however the Scotsman faces issues as the record breaking team which has dominated the U18 Premier League won’t be available.
Last season’s star players, James Scanlon and Gabriele Biancheri, are both now beyond the level, as are the two Fletcher twins and even Amir Ibragimov and Jim Thwaites
However, the academy graduate, turned first teamer, turned coach won’t be losing any sleep over this with some very talented players now coming up into the U18s from lower age groups.
United had an impressive scholarship group earlier this summer, while it is players who are being fast-tracked who are really impressing.
Wayne Rooney, Kai Rooney and Colleen Rooney at an event.
Photo by JMEnternational/Getty Images
Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher compares Kai Rooney to Lamine Yamal
Over the past few weeks, there has been a pretty quick rise for Kai Rooney at Manchester United, with fans catching a glimpse of Wayne Rooney’s son in action for the first time.
Often touted as being an impressive talent for his age, Rooney was something of an enigma with clips of him training the only thing fans had to go off.
More United News
Wayne Rooney praised Kai Rooney to Gary Neville in 2024, admitting that he thought his son has potential in football, and now this is becoming more clear to everybody else.
Last week, Rooney was with United’s U19s over at the Mladen Ramljak tournament in Croatia, which was his first chance at such a high level and he caught the eye.
After the tournament, Rooney posted on his Instagram with images of himself in action for the U19s, looking the part against opponents who are as many as four years his senior.
In the comments, plenty of United’s academy players were reacting, with emerging superstar Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher among those to send a message to the 15-year-old, making a comparison to Lamine Yamal.
“Love it Lamine”, the talented attacker commented, with Rooney responding with two laughing emojis.
Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher Instagram message to Kai Rooney. Credit: @kairooney.10
Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher Instagram message to Kai Rooney. Credit: @kairooney.10
Also commenting were Ibragimov and Jack Fletcher who added hearts. Samuel Lusale wrote, “top you”.
Finally Tyler Fletcher commented, “lil bro”, which is a bond which the pair likely have from young as their fathers player together for years at United.
Kai Rooney has rocketed into academy stardom at Manchester United
Comparing Rooney to Yamal may be a little premature to seriously make a case for, however, at his age, United’s teenager is much better than the majority of his peers.
As a result United are planning to fast track Rooney which we saw the first signs of as he made the U19s tour alongside JJ Gabriel and Douka Nkoto who are in the same situation.
His place on the U19 tour was earned earlier this summer as Rooney took the Super Cup NI by storm, as he looked pretty impressive with his physicality making it look like a man against boys at times.
Following his performances in Northern Ireland, Wayne Rooney complimented Kai Rooney explaining his development is going well, while praising United’s coaches at academy level.
Now, it seems that Rooney likely will be an U18 player this season, being a key option on the right in attack, with Louie Bradbury in the middle and Gabriel on the left, however, long term Rooney will be a striker.
If Rooney can make the step up look seamless, he could very quickly find himself discussed among the country’s best talents and rightfully so. Big season in the making for the teen.