KAI ROONEY and Jacey Carrick were among eight Manchester United wonderkids honoured at the club’s annual Scholars night.
Proud dads Wayne and were both at to watch their sons’ induction into the club’s Development Phase Group on Friday night.
Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick attended Manchester United’s Scholars induction Credit: Instagram @shanesilvester_
Jacey Carrick and Kai Rooney were inducted into the Class of 26 Credit: Instagram @jacey.carrick
Kai, 16, already featured several times for United’s Under-18s last season, while Jacey is set to take that step this campaign.
Dad Wazza made the short walk over from Media City on his night off from punditry duties for the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Carrick attended the Class of 26 bash in a dual role as United’s first team manager and parent to 16-year-old midfielder Jacey.
On the day that they proudly became full-time footballers, the new recruits and their families were invited to for a special ceremony.
Players wore their official club suits, including the iconic blazer, and were presented with the club’s new shirt.
Gazik Ibragimov is another newly inducted name that will likely ring a bell for fans.
He is the younger and bigger brother of Amir Ibragimov, who is knocking on the first-team door after an injury plagued season with the U18s.
Gazik is a central defender and debuted in the U18s at the end of last season.
Kai Rooney and Wayne Rooney at Nordoff Robbins’ Legends of Football in 2024 Credit: Getty
Amir Ibragimov’s younger brother Gazik has been added to the Class of 26 Credit: Getty
A scholarship deal is a contract that tends to be signed by players who are 16, coming 17, and allows them to both continue their athletic development and pursue academic studies.
That is why United’s 15-year-old prodigy is still too young to become a scholar this year.
But Gabriel, who turns 16 in October, is clearly ahead of schedule.
The teenager swept the end-of-season awards, taking home the club’s Young Player of the Season trophy alongside the Premier League’s U18 Player of the Year title.
He was a regular in first-team training last season and is expected to play a role during the pre-season trips to Scandinavia.
Next summer will be when United are both trying to get Gabriel to agree to the scholarship deal and also sign a professional contract in advance of his 17th birthday.
and Carrick have likely agreed professional deals already, which will be signed on their birthdays, Gabriel’s deal will be tougher to get done.
United will have to fight off interest from European giants like to keep the teenage sensation.
The other five youngsters recognised at the scholars event included forwards Edson Dejonge-Seiros and Pharrell Silvester, midfielders Jaume Camacho and Harlem McLaughlin, and defender Connor Laurie.
Jaume Camacho joined Man United from Spain and has already been making his mark at the club Credit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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