Kai Rooney closes in on first Man Utd pro contract as JJ Gabriel edges toward exit

Kai Rooney is on the verge of signing his first professional contract with Manchester United, with the 16-year-old forward set to become eligible when he turns 17 on November 2. The son of Red Devils legend Wayne Rooney joined the academy at age 11 and currently plays for the Under-18s, coached by former United midfielder Darren Fletcher.

Rooney signed a scholarship agreement in July as part of the club’s Professional Development Phase, and his progression to a professional deal appears straightforward — a contrast to the increasingly uncertain situation surrounding fellow academy prospect JJ Gabriel.

Gabriel, also 16, requested his release from United last month and has not returned to the club’s Carrington training base. He has instead spent the past three weeks in Castelldefels, Catalonia, working with a private coach. United reportedly offered Gabriel a scholarship contract after he turned 16 on Tuesday, but his future at the club remains deeply uncertain.

The teenager has drawn serious interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Barcelona and Real Madrid have both held discussions over a potential move, while Sky Germany reports that Bayern Munich have also opened talks with Gabriel’s representatives. His departure would be a significant blow to United’s academy, with Gabriel widely regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in world football.

Against that backdrop, securing Kai Rooney on a professional deal would offer the club a timely piece of good news. The teenager operates predominantly on the right wing — a different position to his father — though Wayne has noted the similarities in their approach to the game.

“Kai plays for Manchester United in the academy and he is very driven,” Wayne said in the Disney+ documentary series The Real Rooneys. “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 scored twice at Under-18 level last season and made his debut at Old Trafford during an FA Youth Cup win over Derby County. His campaign was cut short by a foot injury that ruled him out of United’s FA Youth Cup final defeat to Manchester City.