Kai Rooney is grappling with a familiar feeling after confirming that he will be sidelined for the rest of the season due to injury. The Manchester United prodigy will be absent as the club strives to clinch the FA Youth Cup.

The 16-year-old has made considerable progress in his quest to follow in his father Wayne’s footsteps. Kai made his debut at Old Trafford in January, entering as a substitute as the U18s triumphed over Derby County in the fourth round of the esteemed tournament. He also featured in six league matches for Darren Fletcher’s youth team, netting twice and providing an assist, despite playing a total of 119 minutes. However, Rooney has declared on social media that he will be out of action for the remainder of the season.

“Disappointed to be out for the rest of the season. Back stronger next pre-season,” Rooney stated in an Instagram story on Thursday morning.

Rooney grabbed headlines as his parents watched him at Old Trafford at the beginning of the year. He was an unused substitute in the team’s quarter-final victory over Sunderland but had been introduced in the team’s last three matches.

However, this is not the first injury setback that the youngster has faced in his budding career. In September, Rooney posted a photo of himself on crutches and sporting a medical boot.

He had netted for the U18s against Middlesbrough before being sidelined. The academy star expressed his feelings at the time in an Instagram post: “Life can’t get worse.”

Despite suffering a new injury, Rooney has numerous reasons to remain optimistic, even though his season has come to a premature end. The winger was part of the United U16s team that clinched the Super Cup NI this term, as well as making his debut at Old Trafford.

His FA Youth Cup appearance at Old Trafford not only marked an early career highlight but also gave his father Wayne a rare chance to see his son play. Kai had previously prohibited the United legend from attending due to the attention he attracted.

His mother Coleen shared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in 2024: “That’s the thing with kids, I think, it’s hard to go on days out. 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.”

Meanwhile, United’s academy team will be aiming to end the season on a high note, albeit without Kai available. The U18s are scheduled to take on Crystal Palace in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals.

Fletcher’s squad will also face off against Palace in the Premier League Cup final at Selhurst Park next month. In the U18 Premier League, United are in a title race with local rivals Manchester City.