Manchester United have a decision to make soon on Kai Rooney
Kai Rooney of Manchester United celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 3-1 during the U18 Premier League Cup match between Manchester United U18s & West Ham United U18s
Kai Rooney's 17th birthday is approaching(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
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Manchester United will be able to offer Kai Rooney a professional contract in less than a month.
The 16-year-old - who is the son of Old Trafford legend Wayne - has been at the club since he was 11 and currently features for the club's Under-18 side. The forward inked a scholarship deal earlier this year in July, which marked his induction into the Professional Development Phase group.
The scholarship contract Kai signed is the final step before he can sign his first professional deal. He'll be eligible for it when he turns 17 years old on November 2 - a situation that remains unlikely when it comes to JJ Gabriel.
The 16-year-old asked to be released from United last month and has yet to report back to Carrington, instead spending the last three weeks in Castelldefels, Catalonia, working with a private coach.
Gabriel is regarded as one of the most highly rated youngsters in world football, and his potential departure would be a devastating loss for United's academy. The club have reportedly offered Gabriel a scholarship contract - a deal he became eligible for after turning 16 on Tuesday.
The forward is subject to interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs, with Barcelona and Real Madrid both holding talks to sign the youngster. Sky Germany reports that Bayern Munich have opened talks with Gabriel's representatives.
Ethan Williams and JJ Gabriel.
JJ Gabriel's future at Manchester United is murky(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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While Gabriel's future in Manchester looks uncertain at best, United have the opportunity to lock down the second generation of the Wayne family in Kai. The teenager primarily plays on the right wing, unlike his father, but the duo share a similar style of play, says the United icon.
During the Disney+ docu-series, The Real Rooneys, Wayne explained: "Kai plays for Manchester United in the academy and he is very driven. He scores goals and he wants it. It’s very similar to me, it’s like watching myself with a left foot. It’s mad."
Kai Rooney of Manchester United
Kai Rooney turns 17 next month(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Kai scored twice at U18 level last season and even made his debut at the Theatre of Dreams in an FA Youth Cup win over Derby County. However, his campaign was curtailed by a foot injury that saw him miss out on United's FA Youth Cup final defeat to Manchester City.