The latest Manchester United news with Kai Rooney scoring during the under-18s 5-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday
Kai, Coleen and Wayne Rooney
Kai with his parents Coleen and Wayne (Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Kai Rooney has emerged as the centre of attention after making his debut for Manchester United's Under-18s last week.
The 15-year-old has had a remarkable week, making his debut off the bench at Everton last weekend and featuring among the substitutes against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Darren Fletcher's side secured a 5-0 win over Boro at the club’s Aon Training Complex, with Kai scoring his first goal alongside Bendito Mantato and Amir Ibragimov, while JJ Gabriel grabbed a brace.
Prior to this, the manager urged fans to give the young under-18 players this season the time and space to develop without putting on attention or pressure. "It’s important we let them develop," Fletcher said. "They’ve got loads of development to do but they’re sponges. They want to learn. They’re young boys who just enjoy football. They take on the information, we’re trying to give them a platform on which to express themselves.
"And we have to recognise their age as well. We don’t want them to grow up too quickly. Let them just develop. It’s difficult when they’re on TV, but that’s part of the game and the modern world. We don’t want to hold anybody back. If you’re performing, you’re going to get rewards for it. They’ve played because they deserve it and they’ve shown they can compete and fight at this level."
Taking to X after the clash, United wrote: "A five-star performance from our Man United Academy. Back-to-back wins in the U18 Premier League campaign. Great start, Reds!," followed by a fist emoji.
With that said, MEN Sport has taken a look at the latest on Rooney Junior.
Debut for U18s
Kai reached a significant milestone in his development at the club by making his U18 Premier League debut against Everton. Despite being only 15, the youngster was named among United's substitutes.
United secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a first-half penalty from Ibragimov, providing a positive start to their campaign. Taking to Instagram to mark the occasion, Rooney Jr. shared his delight at progressing into the U18s.
"Happy to make U18s Premier League debut," he wrote. "Good start to the season, ready for the next game."
First goal for U18s
Kai scored one of the goals for United’s under-18s as the young Reds cruised to a 5-0 victory over Boro.
Kai Rooney
Kai Rooney scored his first goal for the under-18s after making his debut last weekend
Wayne & Coleen's verdict
"He just plays, that's what he's always done," the Reds icon, Wayne Rooney Sr. said previously. "It's unfair to expect too much - he's only 15. But he handles the pressure of his surname very well."
Despite being a young teenager, Kai has already had to put up with a lot on the pitch just because of who his father is. "A few years ago, I remember my son Kai took a penalty at St George's Park, where we were for a tournament," his mum Coleen told Stick to Football podcast from Sky Bet.
"It went to penalties, Kai stepped up and then he just skied it. Afterwards I asked him how he could take a penalty like that, and he told me he was fuming as the goalkeeper was saying: 'Your dad's s***', and he got dead angry.
"It doesn't happen to him very often, but it did then, and you can see in some games where they give you a little push. He's strong-minded, though, and usually shrugs it off."
Sportswear sponsorship deal
At just 12 years old, Kai has signed a sportswear sponsorship with Puma. Wayne, a legendary figure in Nike's football campaigns during his playing career, now has a son who is also tipped for a bright future.
Kai scored an impressive 56 goals for United’s academy last season, including four in a standout performance against Liverpool in October.
The news of his Puma deal was announced on the young player’s Instagram account, with the caption: "Great to sign for @puma ‘Only see great’."
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