"Wayne Rooney's Son Kai, 16, Nets First U18 Goal in Exciting Comeback Alongside JJ Gabriel"

KAI ROONEY marked his comeback for Manchester United U18s with his first goal at that level since returning from a long injury lay-off.

The 16-year-old’s strike capped off United’s 6-0 win over Birmingham City’s U18s in the Cup on Wednesday afternoon at Carrington.

Academy prodigy JJ Gabriel, who only turned 15 in October, doubled United’s lead from a rebound off the goalkeeper just before half-time after centre-back Jacob Watson’s opener from a corner.

A chaotic final 10 minutes saw add four more goals to run rampant as Darren Fletcher’s side cemented their place as group winners with nine points from nine.

But the highlight of the match belonged to Rooney, who was named on the bench and came on during the second-half.

The teenager collected the ball when it skipped across the box and, from a tight angle, flashed an explosive drive to round things off.

Kai will be pushing to be involved in their FA Youth Cup run after missing out in the narrow 1-0 round three win over Peterborough at last week.

The son of Wayne and Coleen has endured a tough start to the season after an injury picked up in September ruled him out of action until mid-November.

While Kai is understood to have sustained the problem whilst representing the United youth side, the precise details of the specific nature of the injury were never disclosed.

Kai has been part of the United academy since 2020, where he has excelled across various age groups as a striker.

However, dad Wayne recently disclosed that his eldest boy has transitioned to the right wing.

Fletcher handed debuts to goalkeeper Charlie Hardy, who made an early save to deny Joseph Ralph and defender Harley Emsden-James.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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