Kai Rooney and Jacey Carrick sign Manchester United academy scholarships and share their hopes

Kai Rooney and Jacey Carrick have signed their Manchester United academy scholarship deals, with both teenagers reflecting on the significance of the occasion following a celebration ceremony at Old Trafford.

Rooney, son of former United and England striker Wayne, described the moment as the beginning of something meaningful. “It symbolises the start of something hopefully great, and something with lots of memories to come with lots of hard work,” he said. Carrick, son of former United captain and current Middlesbrough manager Michael, called the day “very special”, adding: “I remember the first time when I signed for Man United and it just brings back flashbacks. To put this blazer on is brilliant.”

Both fathers were present at the ceremony, with Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick — accompanied by his wife — pictured alongside their sons. The scholars each received a shirt bearing their surname and the number 26, along with a United blazer, to mark their achievement.

Head of the academy Stephen Torpey addressed the group during the event, urging the new scholars to embrace the demands that come with representing the club. “To be successful at Old Trafford on that pitch, you’re going to have to show courage that deserves to wear this blazer with pride,” Torpey told them. “There is a high demand on anyone who wears this badge.”

Former United academy graduate Wes Brown was also invited to speak, sharing his own experience of coming through the club’s youth system.

Kai Rooney has already had a taste of first-team academy football, making his Old Trafford debut last season as a substitute in an FA Youth Cup tie against Derby. Carrick did not feature in the Youth Cup but is expected to be involved at Under-18 level in the coming season.

The full list of United’s first-year scholars includes goalkeeper Jake Ford; defenders Harley Emsden-James, Idris Fabiyi, Gazi Ibragimov, Connor Laurie and Samuel O’Brien; midfielders Jaume Camacho Sidos, Jacey Carrick, Harlem McLaughlin, Pharell Silvester, Emmanuel Ziro and Jodie Nganga; and forwards Edson de Jonge-Seiros, Camron Mpofu and Kai Rooney.