History repeats itself as United wonderkid bumped up three age groups – report

Manchester United is a club built on giving youth a chance, and that policy has been richly rewarded over the years with academy graduates like the Busby Babes taking football by storm.

Carrington continues to be a conveyor belt of young talent, with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo bursting into the first team in recent years, and INEOS have taken the club’s ethos to heart in the transfer market.

Earlier this summer the Red Devils signed 16-year-old Harley Emsden-James, and Chido Obi was poached from Arsenal last year at the same age.

Kai Rooney called up

But already on the United books is a 15-year-old making considerable waves at the club, and he bears a familiar surname.

Kai Rooney, the son of United legend Wayne, has been dazzling in the youth teams and his sterling performances have seen him called up to the U19s, skipping three age groups in the process.

The news was reported by outlets including The Daily Mail yesterday, adding to a day of good news for United fans after the club wrapped up a deal for new striker Benjamin Sesko.

Centre-forward is one of the roles in which Rooney shines, so if he continues his meteoric rise he could be in the frame for the number 9 shirt in the coming years.

Rooney joined the United academy in 2020, and according to The Daily Mail plays a similar game to his father and earning plaudits from his coaches for his composure, movement off the ball and eye for goal.

SuperCupNI heroics

Rooney has been generating a buzz at Carrington for a long time, notably scoring four goals against Liverpool U12s in 2021 when he finished the season with 56 goals and 28 assists.

But the performances which earned him his exciting call-up came in the SuperCupNI – formerly know as the Milk Cup – where he scored and assisted to help United U16s to the final. The young Red Devils ultimately lost to Southampton.

It’s not the first time a Rooney has featured in the prestigious youth tournament, with Wayne appearing himself for Everton in 2000.

Having now joined up with the U19s young Rooney is set to compete in the Mladen Ramljak Tournament in Croatia, where United will face Rapid Bucuresti, Juventus and Dinamo Zagreb in Group A.

Previous stars of the competition include Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga and Marcelo Brozovic.

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social