Kai Rooney impresses in Man Utd Under-18s' 6-3 demolition of Liverpool as fans demand promotion

Wayne Rooney’s son Kai delivered a standout performance as Manchester United’s Under-18s thrashed Liverpool’s Under-18s 6-3 on Saturday, sparking calls from supporters for the teenager to be fast-tracked toward the senior squad. Darren Fletcher’s youthful side ran out convincing winners in what proved a stark contrast to the first team’s recent difficulties.

Kai, who joined United’s academy aged 11 in 2020, wore the No. 9 shirt and led the line with relentless pressing, directly setting up Jaume Camacho, who finished with four goals on the day. The 16-year-old — who turns 17 on 2 November, at which point his current two-year scholarship converts into a three-year professional contract — has already made his Under-19 UEFA Youth League and Under-21 debuts this season, though he remains a regular starter for the Under-18s.

Fans were quick to draw comparisons with his father. “Kai Rooney is a pressing machine,” one supporter wrote on social media, while another added: “He ran like his dad — chased everything down and made plays.” Others went further, arguing he is edging toward first-team contention: “He is always getting closer to first-team potential.”

The enthusiasm for the academy side was not lost on supporters either. “Our Under-18s are far more enjoyable to watch than the first team — pace, hunting the ball collectively, calmness in midfield,” one fan wrote. “It’s a breath of fresh air watching them every week.”

The reaction carries an edge of frustration given the senior team’s form. United have won just one of their opening seven Premier League matches, and were beaten 4-1 by Como in the Champions League midweek — a result that prompted an unusually candid response from manager Michael Carrick.

“Recently we haven’t had a good time — I think that’s pretty obvious,” Carrick said ahead of Sunday’s home fixture against Bournemouth. “Wednesday was a bad night and it hurt me to see us play like that. It was unacceptable. My responsibility is to get a team on the pitch that represents this football club and the supporters can be proud of in the identity we show. We have gone away from that recently.”

Last season, Kai featured across the Under-16s and Under-18s, winning the Under-16 Premier League Shield and SuperCupNI before an injury disrupted his campaign. His development has continued steadily, and Saturday’s display against Liverpool will only add to the growing sense that United’s most promising young No. 9 is closing the gap on the senior ranks.