Manchester United academy player Kai Rooney has suffered an injury setback
Kai Rooney of Manchester United
Manchester United academy player Kai Rooney has made an announcement on social media(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Kai Rooney is experiencing a familiar feeling after revealing that he is set to be out for the remainder of the season through injury. The Manchester United starlet will miss out as the club aim to win the FA Youth Cup.
The 16-year-old has made significant strides in his efforts to emulate his dad Wayne's career path. Kai played at Old Trafford for the first time in January, coming on as a substitute as the U18s defeated Derby County in the fourth round of the prestigious competition.
He played in six league games for Darren Fletcher's youth side, scoring twice and registering an assist, despite playing a total of 119 minutes. However, Rooney has announced on social media that he will be sidelined for the rest of the campaign.
"Disappointed to be out for the rest of the season. Back stronger next pre-season," Rooney said in an Instagram story on Thursday morning.
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Rooney made headlines as his parents watched him at Old Trafford at the start of the year. He was an unused substitute in the team’s quarter-final win over Sunderland, but had been brought on in the team's last three games.
However, it is not the first injury setback that the teenager has endured during his young career. Earlier this season, Rooney shared an image of himself on crutches and wearing a medical boot.
He had scored for the U18s against Middlesbrough before being sidelined. The academy star summed up his feelings in an Instagram post at the time: "Life can't get worse."
Having suffered a fresh injury, Rooney has plenty of reasons to be positive, despite seeing his season cut short. The winger was part of the United U16s that won the Super Cup NI this term, in addition to making his Old Trafford debut.
Kai Rooney
Rooney shared an injury update on social media(Image: Instagram/@kairooney.10)
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His FA Youth Cup appearance at Old Trafford not only marked an early career milestone but also presented dad Wayne with a rare opportunity to watch his son in action. Kai had previously banned the United legend due to the attention he drew.
His mother, Coleen, revealed on I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in 2024: "That's the thing with kids, I think, it's hard to go on days out. Kai told Wayne to stop coming to football games, when he played grassroots tournaments and stuff, because he used to get swarmed and he couldn't even watch the game."
Meanwhile, United’s academy side will hope to end the season on a high, albeit without Kai at their disposal. The U18s are set to face Crystal Palace in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals.
Fletcher’s team will also battle Palace in the Premier League Cup final at Selhurst Park next month. In the U18 Premier League, United are going head-to-head with local rivals Manchester City.