Kai Rooney's blistering start to the season in Manchester United's academy turned up a notch as he scored four in the Under-18s' 6-0 victory away at Burnley

Kai Rooney's fantastic form rolled into Tuesday's U18s match against Burnley, providing four of the goals in a 6-0 win. The 16-year-old son of Wayne Rooney is certainly following in his father's footsteps, his thirst for goals evident in 2026/27.

And his striker's instinct was on full display just 22 minutes into Tuesday's encounter at the Clarets' training centre in Lancashire. Emmanuel Ziro clipped the ball toward Jaume Camacho, with the midfielder rattling the upright with a towering header.

The ball then bounced back toward Kai, who hit it hard and low into the bottom right corner with his left foot before wheeling off in celebration, sliding toward the corner flag on his knees. The teenager was not content with just one goal for the afternoon, however, coolly converting from the penalty spot four minutes into the second-half having been brought down inside Callum Feeney's area by Tambwe Leonard.

In the 63rd minute, Kai completed his hat-trick with a looping header off the back of a corner from Jay McEvoy. A fourth followed just three minutes later, the teenage sensation once more converting low into the bottom right corner from inside the area.

Camacho was on hand to shine once more with eight minutes left to play, pelting the ball into the top right corner. Noah Ajayi also got in on the act in the 84th minute by making it 6-0.

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It has been an emphatic start to the new season for Kai, who now has five goals and an assist to show for his efforts across just three appearances from the right wing. And it will come as a major boost to United fans amid the doom and gloom surrounding the first team.

Michael Carrick's future hangs in the balance at Old Trafford, with the 45-year-old guiding the Reds to victory in just one of their eight opening Premier League matches. Even more concerningly, United have failed to secure a win in their last eight matches across all competitions.

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As a result, they sit 16th in the league, just a single point from safety. And while Carrick still has time to turn the tide, patience is wearing thin at the Theatre of Dreams.

Saturday's 12.30pm kick-off against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge could serve as the straw that breaks the camel's back, further adding to the trials and tribulations of an already tough clash in west London.

While the outlook for the first team is bleak at present, United fans can take comfort that their academy is full of bustling talent waiting to break into the men's game. Not only did Kai impress against Burnley on Tuesday afternoon, but Camacho proved his own worth at the weekend.

The Spanish midfielder managed four of his own during Saturday's 6-3 win over Liverpool, with his tally for the term now sitting on five goals and three assists from six matches.

Add Kai and Camacho to an already blossoming group consisting of Shea Lacey, Harry Amass and Jack and Tyler Fletcher, and United fans have a wealth to look forward to in terms of talents on the come-up.