Manchester United will be able to offer Kai Rooney a professional contract in less than a month. The 16-year-old, son of Old Trafford legend Wayne Rooney, has been at the club since age 11 and currently plays for the Under-18 side. He signed a scholarship deal in July, marking his induction into the Professional Development Phase group.
Contract eligibility and the JJ Gabriel situation
The scholarship contract Kai signed is the final step before he can sign his first professional deal. He becomes eligible when he turns 17 on November 2 — a situation that remains unlikely for JJ Gabriel. The 16-year-old asked to be released from United last month and has not reported back to Carrington, instead spending the last three weeks in Castelldefels, Catalonia, working with a private coach.
Gabriel is regarded as one of the most highly rated youngsters in world football, and his potential departure would be a devastating loss for United's academy. The club have reportedly offered Gabriel a scholarship contract — a deal he became eligible for after turning 16 on Tuesday. The forward is subject to interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs, with Barcelona and Real Madrid both holding talks to sign him. Sky Germany reports that Bayern Munich have opened talks with Gabriel's representatives.
Kai Rooney's development at United
While Gabriel's future in Manchester looks uncertain, United have the opportunity to lock down the second generation of the Wayne family in Kai. The teenager primarily plays on the right wing, unlike his father, but the duo share a similar style of play, says the United icon.
During the Disney+ docu-series, The Real Rooneys, Wayne explained: "Kai plays for Manchester United in the academy and he is very driven. He scores goals and he wants it. It’s very similar to me, it’s like watching myself with a left foot. It’s mad."
Kai scored twice at U18 level last season and made his debut at Old Trafford in an FA Youth Cup win over Derby County. However, his campaign was curtailed by a foot injury that saw him miss United's FA Youth Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
