Kai Rooney’s long-awaited return to action for Manchester United Under-18s has now sparked reactions from the likes of Barcelona forward Marcus Rashford and Shea Lacey.
The 16-year-old Liverpool-born winger has been following in his father’s legendary footsteps by entering football and trying to make a name for himself at the Red Devils.
WHO is the most UNDERRATED academy talent at Manchester United right now? 🤔🔥
JJ Gabriel and Shea Lacey are obviously exciting but who else are you excited by?
Amir Ibragimov leads team talk for Manchester United U18s.
Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images
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The son of England icon Wayne Rooney, Red Devils talent Kai Rooney has started his playing career as part of the Manchester United youth academy.
The United attacker had suffered a setback earlier in the season after he had been ruled out with injury and had spent the past few months recovering on the sidelines.
Rooney finally returned to action with Manchester United Under-18s in their 2025-26 Premier League Cup match against Birmingham City Under-18s on Wednesday.
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Manchester United’s Kai Rooney in action during the Under-18 Premier League between Manchester United Under-18s and Middlesbrough Under-18s at the Carrington training complex in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Anthony Devlin/Manchester United via Getty Images
Kai Rooney catches the eyes of Marcus Rashford and Shea Lacey after his Man Utd message to fans
Manchester United Under-18s thrashed Birmingham City Under-18s in a convincing 6-0 performance in their Group G clash in the 2025-26 Premier League Cup run.
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Kai Rooney was on the bench for United Under-18s after overcoming his injury and head coach Darren Fletcher turned to Wayne Rooney’s son in the second half.
The United prospect was subbed on in the second half for Red Devils wonderkid JJ Gabriel and Rooney scored for his side in his first appearance in three months.
Rooney couldn’t hide his excitement about making his mark on his United return and the Red Devils winger took to social media to share a message with fans.
The immediate reactions to Kai Rooney’s long-awaited return from injury for Man Utd ✍️🔥
Let’s hear YOUR predictions… in what year do you think Kai Rooney will make his Man Utd first-team debut? 🔮👀
Marcus Rashford: ⚽️
Jack Fletcher: ❤️
Shea Lacey: 👏👏
Louie Bradbury: 👏🏼👏🏼
Samuel Lusale: “Hes backk”
Kai Rooney celebrates scoring during the English Under-18s Premier League Cup match between Manchester United Under-18s vs Birmingham City Under-18s at the Carrington training complex in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Zohaib Alam – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
“We back babyyyyyyy [sic],” he wrote to his Instagram followers, adding the word ‘one’ next to a football emoji.
Marcus Rashford was spotted in the comments of Rooney’s post and the Barcelona summer signing simply left a football emoji in response to the player’s return.
Jack Fletcher reacted by sharing a heart emoji on the Instagram post, while academy talent Shea Lacey posted two clapping emojis on Rooney’s message.
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Kai Rooney continues his development at Man Utd amid the huge expectations on his shoulders at Old Trafford
Rooney’s presence in the United youth academy will always continue to attract attention, considering his father’s legendary status at Old Trafford as a player.
However, the United winger is continuing to focus on his own development and has to deal with the already massive expectations on his shoulders at the Red Devils.
Rooney’s return to action with the Under-18s was a welcome sign for United fans after he was sidelined for a lengthy period of time early in the current season.
The United talent had netted back in August against Middlesbrough Under-18s in the Red Devils’ 5-0 win in the 2025-26 Premier League Cup competition this season.
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