Kai Rooney makes his Old Trafford debut as United youngsters advance in FA Youth Cup

Manchester United Under-18s hosted Derby County in the FA Youth Cup on Friday night at Old Trafford. Darren Fletcher’s young side had a rare chance to play under the lights, with an announced attendance of 2,223. Chido Obi moved down from the Under-21s to start the match up front, while Kai Rooney was named on the bench as he made his Old Trafford debut. First half It was one-way action throughout the first half as JJ Gabriel provided United’s first chance after turning his marker inside and out; his shot was tipped wide by Derby keeper Cristiano Dzialuk. The Derby keeper put in the performance of a lifetime, making another top save from Obi shortly after with an outstretched leg. Late in the half, James Bailey’s corner delivery found Obi, who had his headed effort cleared off the line. Dzialuk denied Obi again in stoppage time to keep the score level at 0-0 going into the second half. Second half Derby came out much improved after the break, calling Cameron Byrne-Hughes into action for the first time. But he did exceptionally well coming out of his goal as a sweeper-keeper. Perhaps Dzialuk’s best save of the night came in the 64th minute, when Bailey’s 30-yard strike looked destined for the top right corner but for the fingertips of the Polish keeper. Both sides had further half-chances, but neither could make the breakthrough within the 90 minutes, forcing the match into extra time. Extra time Godwill Kukonki thought he had made the breakthrough when he danced through four Derby defenders before poking his effort towards goal, but Dzialuk was alert to make the save again as Kukonki kicked the post in frustration. Wayne Rooney’s son, Kai Rooney, was introduced off the bench in the 99th minute for his Old Trafford debut, sporting the number 18—the same number Wayne wore when he first broke through at Everton. United eventually took the lead in the 101st minute when James Overy’s whipped cross was inadvertently poked past the keeper by former Manchester City defender Luca Crolla. Two minutes later, another mistake at the back from Derby allowed Obi to run through and finish over the keeper. What looked like smooth sailing to the final whistle became nervy, though, as Derby pulled one back through Max Nessling after Byrne-Hughes came running out and missed the ball. Despite Derby pounding on the door in the final minutes, United held on for the 2-1 win to advance in the FA Youth Cup. United will now travel away to Oxford United in the round of 16. Match facts United: Byrne-Hughes; Helafu, Mills, Armer, Kukonki (Rooney 99); McCormack (Overy 95), Shah (Brown 65), Bailey (McEvoy 80); Mantato (D. Nkoto 106), Gabriel (Bradbury 115), Obi Unused subs: Heath Goals: Own goal 101, Obi 103 Featured image Richard Heathcote via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Colm Murphy A football obsessed Canadian who moved to England to enjoy the beautiful game. Colm has been keen follower of Manchester United’s famed academy since seeing a fresh faced Adnan Januzaj for the club’s u18s and has been writing about football with a focus on youth development for over 10 years. You can follow him X: RedYouthUnited.