Kai Rooney, 16, makes Man Utd U21 debut but Forest deny him winning start

Kai Rooney made his Manchester United Under-21 debut on Friday night, entering as a 77th-minute substitute against Nottingham Forest in Premier League 2 at Loughborough University Stadium — only for Forest to snatch a winner moments after he stepped onto the pitch.

The 16-year-old arrived with the score level at 2-2, but Forest substitute Shakur Samuels scored the decisive goal to hand United’s youngsters a defeat and deny Rooney a winning first appearance at that level.

The result continued a difficult run of results for Kai in his early outings for United. His previous appearance came in the UEFA Youth League for United’s U19s against Atletico Madrid — a game that also ended in defeat.

Rooney had signalled his excitement ahead of the match by posting a photo of his kit hanging in the dressing room on Instagram, captioning it simply: “U21s vs Forest.”

The milestone arrives at the same age his father Wayne was when he announced himself to the world with a stunning long-range goal for Everton against Arsenal in the Premier League — the strike that prompted the famous commentary line: “Remember the name.”

Kai signed a two-year apprenticeship at United’s academy in July, a deal set to convert into a three-year professional contract worth around £50,000 a year. He had previously impressed for United’s U16s before being promoted through the ranks.

The match itself saw Fuad Ayorinde Smith open the scoring for Forest before United captain Dan Armer levelled from the penalty spot. Samuel Lusale then put United ahead, only for Smith to equalise with a penalty of his own before Samuels settled the contest.

Wayne Rooney joined United from Everton for £30 million in 2004 and went on to become the club’s all-time record scorer, netting 253 goals in 559 appearances and winning five Premier League titles. United manager Michael Carrick’s son Jacey is also progressing through the club’s youth academy.