Kai Rooney continues to impress in Manchester United’s academy along with teammate JJ GabrielDaniel Orme Trends Writer and Amie Wilson Sports Writer
07:49, 05 Mar 2026
Kai Rooney continues to impress for Manchester United’s academy sides. (Image: Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Kai Rooney has once again shown his promise, helping Manchester United reach the Premier League Cup final with the club’s co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, watching on. The teenager has been part of the club’s youth setup since he was 11 as he looks to emulate his legendary father’s career.
He made significant progress towards that goal this week, coming on as a substitute for the under-18s to net in extra-time in the 3-1 win over West Ham.
Rising star JJ Gabriel also found the back of the net in extra time. Ratcliffe attended the match at Carrington, having shown keen interest in the academy since his minority acquisition.
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His private jet was also stationed at the training ground, with the first-team scheduled to travel to Newcastle for Wednesday evening’s fixture. Ratcliffe isn’t the only high-profile figure to have observed Rooney in action recently.
Father Wayne was also present last week to witness United’s 6-1 thrashing of Derby County. Despite initially being named among the substitutes, Rooney junior managed to register an assist in the comprehensive victory.
The presence of Wayne was indeed a surprise, given his previous ban. His wife Coleen remarked in 2024: “That’s the thing with kids I think, it’s hard to go on days out.
“Kai told Wayne to stop coming to football games, when he played grassroots tournaments and stuff because he used to get swarmed and he couldn’t even watch the game.
JJ Gabriel was on the scoresheet for Manchester United’s U18s vs West Ham. (Image: Poppy Townson – MUFC, Manchester United via Getty Images)
“How do you say to all of these kids, ‘Go away, I’m watching my son?’ Adults, it’s different, you could speak to them. So he (Kai) just said, ‘Oh, dad there’s no point you coming because you don’t even watch me play anyway.’
“Which is sad, but it can’t be helped anyway. At the same time, the fans help you along the way and get you where you are.”
Rooney has previously shared his views on the United academy and suggested that the club’s young players faced increased pressure following Cristiano Ronaldo’s return.
He commented: “There’s a bit more pressure on them as well. Kai and [when Cristiano] Ronaldo came back, Ronaldo’s lads and Michael Carrick’s lad were all on the same team.
“You go and watch and then all of a sudden there’s like 10 times the amount of people that’s normally there, all around the pitch watching, so there’s a lot more pressure because they’re coming to watch the three kids to see how they play and stuff. They’ve got to be ready.”
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