Kai Rooney's Man United boost after JJ Gabriel decision and Carrick rule change

Rooney, who turns 17 in November, made his Old Trafford bow in the FA Youth Cup last season. He made his UEFA Youth League debut last week and then scored on his first outing in the Under-18 Premier League this term, opening the scoring in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.

The teenager also made his Under-21 debut against Forest, coming on for goalscorer Samuel Lusale in a narrow 3-2 defeat. He's expected to feature this weekend as Darren Fletcher's Under-18s line-up for a huge game against Liverpool.

Whether he would have received these opportunities with Gabriel ahead of him in the queue is another matter. The wonderkid, who played for the first team in pre-season, hasn't featured since indicating in September that he wanted to leave Old Trafford.

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Gabriel, who is 11 months younger than Rooney, scored a hat-trick in the Youth League opener against Sabah but wasn't part of the squad against Atleti or Como. Rooney was an unused substitute in Italy on Wednesday, with Jack Fletcher scoring United's goal in a 2-1 loss.

United only have limited options in attack at the various age-group levels after allowing other youngsters to depart over the summer, with The Mail reporting that Rooney remains an option in a false nine setup. Louie Bradbury completed a permanent move to Stoke City, while Chido Obi has made a handful of substitute appearances in the Eredivisie after making a loan switch to Willem II.

Rooney and his team-mates could yet get first-team opportunities with the senior side and Carrick has already started working with academy coaches to make the transition easier for anyone who makes the step up. It was reported in September that Under-21 boss Adam Lawrence is now mirroring Carrick's 4-2-3-1 set-up.

At the time, it was suggested that the switch might allow Gabriel to play as a 10 if and when first-team opportunities came his way. Now, though, it is tempting to pay more attention to the false nine element as something which could eventually help Rooney.

While the 16-year-old remains very much part of the academy system thus far, the false nine approach could also offer hope for the future. With Benjamin Sesko injured and Obi departing on loan, United have been trying different things up front at all levels rather than always using an orthodox No. 9.

For now, though, age-group matches are the main priority. United's Under-18s have won four of their first six matches this season and can make a statement in their title challenge with three more points against Liverpool on Saturday.