Wayne Rooney Watches Son Kai Feature in Manchester United U18 Rout as JJ Gabriel Steals Spotlight

Wayne Rooney observes son Kai in Man Utd U18s’ 6-1 win over Derby. Discover how JJ Gabriel stole the show with a stunning brace at Carrington.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 26, 2026, 5:42 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Goal

A Legacy Presence at the Carrington Training Ground

The atmosphere at Manchester United’s Carrington complex was charged with historic significance as Wayne Rooney took his place in the stands for Wednesday afternoon’s Under-18 Premier League clash. The former England captain joined a high-profile group of spectators, including current first-team manager Michael Carrick and former teammates John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher, to witness the next generation of Red Devils talent. The focal point of parental pride was the introduction of 16-year-old Kai Rooney as a second-half substitute, marking another milestone in the teenager's development within the club’s prestigious academy system.

Clinical Efficiency in a Six Goal Thrashing

On the pitch, Manchester United’s U18 side exhibited a level of clinical dominance that left Derby County with few answers despite an early equalizer from Sean Corry. Louie Bradbury initiated the scoring in the sixth minute, setting the tone for a relentless offensive display that saw United enter the interval with a 3-1 lead thanks to strikes from JJ Gabriel and Noah Ajayi. The second half proved equally fruitful, as Bradbury, Gabriel, and Ajayi each completed their respective doubles, propelling United to within a single point of league leaders Manchester City in the Under-18 Premier League standings.

The Rise of a Teenage Phenomenon

While the Rooney name naturally drew eyes to the team sheet, it was the performance of 15-year-old JJ Gabriel that captivated those in attendance. Gabriel’s second goal of the afternoon served as a definitive highlight, featuring a powerful drive from the edge of the box that left Derby goalkeeper Cristiano Dzialuk immobile. Already nicknamed 'Kid Messi' by those within the academy, Gabriel’s current form of six goals in four games has reportedly drawn early interest from rivals such as Arsenal, though United officials remain confident in their ability to shepherd his transition to the senior level.