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Kai Rooney issues four-word message after Man United U21s debut doesn't go to plan

The teenager has had a busy couple of weeks as he looks to make his own name at Manchester United

Kai Rooney during the U18 Premier League Cup between Chelsea U18 and Manchester United U18 at Cobham Training Centre.

Kai Rooney has come up through the Manchester United youth teams. (Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Kai Rooney bounced back from suffering disappointment in his Under-21s debut for Manchester United in the perfect way. He has now taken to social media to give his reaction.

The 16-year-old has been making his way through the United youth teams, and stepped up to U21s on Friday. The teenager was named on the bench for the Premier League 2 fixture against Nottingham Forest at Loughborough University.

He came on the pitch to make his debut in the 78th minute, with the scoreline at 2-2. Rooney would have been hoping to help his team record a late win, but suffered heartbreak as it was Forest who scored late to take all three points.

The defeat was United development squad’s first of the season in Premier League 2, having won their opening three matches against Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Brentford. But Rooney, the son of United legend Wayne, didn’t have long to dwell on the defeat.

Despite his appearance for the U21s on Friday, he was back in the starting XI for the club’s U18s on Saturday as they took on Nottingham Forest. Rooney was on the scoresheet to give United the lead in the first half.

He was taken off in the 66th minute of the game, but United couldn’t hold on for the win. Forest equalised in the 78th minute with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.

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Following the double header, Rooney has taken to social media, responding to his goal. He shared a picture of his celebration along with a caption reading: “back on the scoresheet.’

It's been a busy few weeks for Rooney as he made his U19s debut just last week. He came on as a second-half substitute in the UEFA Youth League clash against Atletico Madrid, a game which United lost 3-0.

He signed a two-year scholarship with the club back in July. The deal can turn into a three-year professional deal worth around £50,000 per year, plus an annual signing-on fee.

Kai Rooney

Kai Rooney(Image: Getty Images)

As Rooney was starting to make his own way in football, it had previously been revealed by his mum, Coleen, that he had to ban his dad from attending matches. "Kai told Wayne to stop coming to football games, when he played grassroots tournaments and stuff because he used to get swarmed and he couldn't even watch the game,” she said on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here in 2024.

"How do you say to all of these kids, 'Go away, I'm watching my son?' Adults, it's different, you could speak to them. So he (Kai) just said, 'Oh, dad there's no point you coming because you don't even watch me play anyway.' Which is sad, but it can't be helped anyway. At the same time, the fans help you along the way and get you where you are."

Wayne has, however, since been spotted at matches, suggesting that the ban is now over.

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