Kai Rooney and Jacey Carrick have signed scholarship contracts with Manchester United as their world famous dads celebrated with them at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney took a break from World Cup punditry duty to celebrate his son’s achievement, while Michael Carrick attended the ceremony as both the Manchester United manager and Jacey’s father.
The sons of the club legends were two of eight youngsters who were inducted into the Professional Development Phase group.
The annual scholars night was held on Friday and also saw Gazik Ibragimov, Edson Dejonge-Seiros, Harlem McLaughlin, Pharell Silvester, Connor Laurie and Jaume Camacho sign their scholarship deals.
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Both Rooney and Carrick are 16 years old, with Kai having already made six appearances for Manchester United’s Under-18 team last season.
Midfielder Jacey played just once for Darren Fletcher’s Under-18 team but will hope to make more of an impression over the coming campaign.
While still very young, the two teenagers have already known each other a long time, with Carrick posting a picture of the two talented young players as small boys, alongside one of them on Friday night.
Scholarship deals are signed to allow youngsters to continue studying while pursuing a career in football. Professional contracts can be signed when players turn 17.
The standout performer in Manchester United’s academy has been 15-year-old JJ Gabriel, who is still too young to even sign a scholarship deal, which he can do at 16.
At just 15 he scored 21 goals in the Under-18 side and won both the club’s Young Player of the Season award and the Premier League’s U18 Player of the Year.
After his stunning season while playing at an age range which should be beyond him, Gabriel told MUTV: ‘I’d say [the Academy] helped me mature a lot. They help me to be very humble and keep my feet on the ground.
‘I’m delighted to be working with him [Fletcher], he’s an amazing coach and has helped me so much this season to become a better player and the best version of myself.
‘My family have helped me a lot, through tough times and good times. They come to all my matches, no matter how far or close, and I love them to bits.’