Kai Rooney and JJ Gabriel have impressed for Manchester United’s academy teams
Kai Rooney is progressing through Manchester United’s academy(Image: James Gill – Danehouse, Getty Images)
Manchester United youngsters Kai Rooney and JJ Gabriel are both determined to break into the first team but could face a similar dilemma when it comes to international football. The pair have attracted considerable attention with their displays for United’s U18s this season.
Rooney, 16, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father Wayne, who remains United’s all-time leading scorer. The teenager has made encouraging progress, netting twice in seven appearances, and played at Old Trafford in January.
His proud parents watched on as their eldest son featured in an FA Youth Cup tie against Derby County and were also present when Kai helped the U16 team claim the Premier League Shield. Sadly, the United youngster suffered a season-ending injury last month.
Gabriel is set to feature in the club’s pre-season plans, despite being just 15 years old, after playing a key role in firing the U18s to the FA Youth Cup final during an impressive campaign. While both Rooney and Gabriel harbour ambitions of making their mark at United, first team success could ultimately lead to some tricky decisions on the international stage.
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Despite his father previously holding England’s all-time scoring record, Rooney is also eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland. Both his parents have Irish backgrounds and Kai’s mother Coleen spoke about the prospect of her sons not wearing the England shirt.
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“Obviously they’re so young yet,” she said during a recent appearance on The Late Late Show. “We haven’t got to that point, but I think they’d be proud to play for Ireland, yeah. But I don’t know, they don’t know. Let’s let them make the decision.”
Kai is yet to feature for England’s youth teams, unlike Gabriel, who has two England U17 caps. Gabriel is also eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland and has several alternative options open to him.
His father is former defender Joe O’Cearuill, who made two appearances for the Republic of Ireland. Gabriel has a Cypriot mother and could also opt to represent Trinidad and Tobago through his grandfather.
There is substantial excitement surrounding the teenager’s promise. However, United manager Michael Carrick has stated that the club will not rush his progress.
JJ Gabriel recently scored for Manchester United in their FA Youth Cup semi-final win over Crystal Palace(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Speaking in March, Carrick said: “JJ is a big talent. We obviously think an awful lot of him, but patience is important in managing everything that comes with that and working with him in development.”
Meanwhile, Kai will be determined to regain full fitness and establish himself as a crucial member of United’s academy sides before making any calls on his international allegiance. However, it wasn’t a dilemma that his father Wayne wrestled with during his own career.
“I’ve never thought about playing for Ireland,” Rooney Snr said in 2015. “I was born in England, I’m English.
“When I was at Everton, Lee Carsley asked me about it on behalf of Mick McCarthy but it never crossed my mind. I have Irish grandparents, so if they wanted to play for Ireland I’m sure they could have, but it was never something I thought about.
“I am English through and through and I have no issue with trying to beat Ireland. I am playing for England and I want to help England win.”
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