Kai Rooney scores for Man United U18s a day after U21s debut ends in defeat

Kai Rooney marked his first weekend of senior youth football at Manchester United with a goal for the U18s on Saturday, just 24 hours after a painful introduction to Premier League 2 action ended in defeat.

The 16-year-old came off the bench in the 78th minute of Friday’s U21s fixture against Nottingham Forest at Loughborough University, with the score level at 2-2. Forest scored late to take all three points — the development squad’s first loss of the season after opening wins over Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Brentford.

Rooney did not have long to dwell on the result. He was back in the starting XI for the U18s against Nottingham Forest on Saturday and put United ahead in the first half. He was substituted off in the 66th minute, and Forest equalised in the 78th to earn a 1-1 draw.

Following the back-to-back fixtures, Rooney posted on social media with a picture of his goal celebration and the caption: “back on the scoresheet.”

The double header capped a hectic fortnight for the son of United legend Wayne Rooney. Just last week he made his U19s debut, coming on as a second-half substitute in the UEFA Youth League defeat to Atletico Madrid — a game United lost 3-0.

Rooney signed a two-year scholarship with the club in July, a deal that can convert into a three-year professional contract worth around £50,000 per year plus an annual signing-on fee.

His path through the United academy has not always been straightforward off the pitch. His mother Coleen revealed in 2024 that Kai had asked Wayne to stop attending matches because the attention his father attracted made it impossible for Wayne to watch. “He just said, ‘Oh, dad there’s no point you coming because you don’t even watch me play anyway,’” Coleen said. Wayne has since been spotted back in the stands, suggesting the arrangement has changed.