Latest news with #Under18s
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Wayne Rooney's son Kai, 15, is named on the bench for Man United's Under-18 side for first game of the season as he's bumped up THREE age groups
Wayne Rooney 's son Kai has received his first callup to Manchester United 's Under-18 squad for the opening game of the season. Kai is amongst the substitutes as United face Everton away. Highly rated 14-year-old JJ Gabriel is in the starting lineup. 15-year-old Kai has been named in the squad by one of his father's former team-mates in Darren Fletcher, who is now coaching the Under-18s. Capable of playing as a striker or out wide, Kai impressed for United at the Super Cup NI in Northern Ireland earlier this summer. He was subsequently included in United's Under-19 squad for the prestigious Mladen Ramljak Tournament in Croatia. The oldest son of Wayne and Colleen Rooney, Kai was born in November 2009. Kai signed for United's academy in 2020 and has progressed through the youth ranks at the club. Speaking previously about his son, United legend Wayne said: 'He just plays, that's what he's always done. It's unfair to expect too much — he's only 15. But he handles the pressure of his surname very well.' Kai made an impact as United reached the final of the Super Cup NI, where they were beaten by Southampton. Wayne and Coleen Rooney were ever-present at the games, watching on with their younger sons Kit and Cass. The family also enjoyed a visit to Curry's Fun Park in Portrush, where they mingled with fans and staff. Jacey Carrick, the son of former Red Devils midfielder Michael, also featured for United at the tournament. Fletcher returned to United as a youth team coach under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and became the club's first technical director in March 2021. He left that position when Jason Wilcox was appointed as technical director. Fletcher worked closely with Ruben Amorim last season as he acted as a conduit to help get academy players into training groups and matchday squads. Upon being appointed as Under-18s coach, Fletcher said: 'I am really excited to take on this new role and increase my responsibility to directly develop our young players. 'I'm looking forward to working with such a talented age-group; supporting them to reach their potential and preparing them to enjoy careers at the highest level possible.' Kai will hope to eventually emulate his father by featuring for the United first-team. Wayne Rooney is United's all-time record goalscorer, having found the net 253 times in 559 games for the club between 2004 and 2017.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Scott Gardner: We are in a good position
Leeds United Under-21s' season gets underway on Tuesday night with a trip to Lincolnshire to face Boston United in the National League Cup. The Whites were crowned champions of the tournament last campaign and boss Scott Gardner believes his side are in a great place ahead of their return to action. 'We have had a good break and we are ready to get back into the competitive games,' the coach explained. 'We have got a busy schedule coming up and Tuesday will be really challenging game and a game with real meaning for us. It is the first one back so we are excited for it. 'There has been a few new players joining the group from the Under-18s and a couple of new bodies coming in from outside the club. 'We have had a mixed pre-season in terms of the opposition, playing some other U21 sides, international teams and we have played some senior games. 'Overall, I am really pleased. I think we are in a good position. It is up to the lads now to step onto the pitch on Tuesday and be ready to go.' The competition is bound to bring back lots of positive memories for the reigning champions but Gardner is already concentrating on the challenge of retaining the crown. 'What happened last season was fantastic but we have moved on. It is more the element, again, of playing senior opposition and testing our players against that level. 'It is where we need to be but we will have a little bit more of a target on our backs. Like I say, we are not too focused on the past. We are looking very much forward to the future. 'Boston will be a different test than when we played them last year with a different manager and they finished the season really strongly. It will be a real good gauge of where we are at for the first game. We are excited for it.'
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Anglian League final ahead for Norfolk Under-18s golfers
Norfolk Under-18s are on the way to an Anglian League final after they recorded an exciting victory in a tri-county qualifier at Swaffham Golf Club. It went right down to the wire against Suffolk and Cambridgeshire with the outcome depending on the shoulders of 13-year-old Leighton Young, easily the youngest member of the team. The Swaffham member had already overcome his Cambridgeshire opponent and on the 18th tee stood all square against a Suffolk golfer. In a see-saw final hole, Young looked to be up against it after a spot of tree trouble – but he dug deep and hit a stunning approach to almost tap-in distance. His opponent encountered problems of his own, struggling on the green, and Young closed out the match to secure a famous overall victory for Norfolk. Every member of the home team contributed to the winning score of 13 points – one and a half clear of both Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. Norfolk now face Leicestershire in the Boys Anglian League final at Boston Golf Club on August 18. Norfolk Under-18s: Liam Caffyn, Luke Gilding, Luis King, Toby Lewin, Arthur Loose, Tom Mathers, Quin Monaghan, Leighton Young
The Irish Sun
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Darren Fletcher lands new job at Man Utd as his role is switched from technical coach
FORMER Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has been confirmed as the new lead coach of the club's Under 18s. The ex-Scotland international has been back working at Old Trafford for the last four years and most recently served as technical director. 4 Manchester United first-team coach Darren Fletcher has become the new boss of the club's U18 side Credit: Alamy 4 Fletcher played over 340 games for Man Utd between 2001 and 2015 Credit: EPA Fletcher has considered roles within the academy before but was reluctant to accept while his sons Jack and Tyler were coming through the ranks. The 41-year-old is keen to become a first team coach in future and believes this move is a step towards his aim. Fletcher said: 'I am really excited to take on this new role and increase my responsibility to directly develop our young players. 'I'm looking forward to working with such a talented age-group, supporting them to reach their potential and preparing them to enjoy careers at the highest level possible.' READ MORE ON MAN UTD Director of football Jason Wilcox approached Fletcher about the move earlier in the summer and is pleased he has chosen to accept it. He said: 'Darren's excellent relationships across the entire staff will only increase the strong connection between the academy and first team – enhancing our ability to produce world class players ready to excel here.' 4 Fletcher is more than familiar with the Utd youth set up having emerged from the academy himself as a boy - while his sons Jack and Tyler have also spent time in their system Credit: Getty Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho trained together at Carrington last week – despite being banished by The pair and three other team-mates have been given extra time off this summer to sort out moves away from Manchester United. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS However the club made it clear that any of the quintet – which also includes And on Thursday last week, Rashford and Garnacho linked up to go through their paces after Amorim and his squad had gone home. Juventus want Rashford! The only footballers who were present at the club's headquarters at the time were the Red Devils Under 10s team. The duo share a close bond – which was demonstrated earlier this summer when Garnacho wore an That was a gift from the England forward who spent the final few months of last season on loan at Villa Park. 4 Both are expected to leave Old Trafford in the coming weeks with Rashford hoping Meanwhile Garnacho has turned down a money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia where he could have linked up with his idol A move to
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Darren Fletcher lands new job at Man Utd as his role is switched from technical coach
FORMER Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has been confirmed as the new lead coach of the club's Under 18s. The ex-Scotland international has been back working at Old Trafford for the last four years and most recently served as technical director. 3 3 Fletcher has considered roles within the academy before but was reluctant to accept while his sons Jack and Tyler were coming through the ranks. The 41-year-old is keen to become a first team coach in future and believes this move is a step towards his aim. Fletcher said: 'I am really excited to take on this new role and increase my responsibility to directly develop our young players. 'I'm looking forward to working with such a talented age-group, supporting them to reach their potential and preparing them to enjoy careers at the highest level possible.' Director of football Jason Wilcox approached Fletcher about the move earlier in the summer and is pleased he has chosen to accept it. He said: 'Darren's excellent relationships across the entire staff will only increase the strong connection between the academy and first team – enhancing our ability to produce world class players ready to excel here.' 3 Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho trained together at Carrington last week – despite being banished by Ruben Amorim. The pair and three other team-mates have been given extra time off this summer to sort out moves away from Manchester United. However the club made it clear that any of the quintet – which also includes Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia – are welcome to use their facilities. And on Thursday last week, Rashford and Garnacho linked up to go through their paces after Amorim and his squad had gone home. Juventus want Rashford! The only footballers who were present at the club's headquarters at the time were the Red Devils Under 10s team. The duo share a close bond – which was demonstrated earlier this summer when Garnacho wore an Aston Villa shirt with Rashford's name on the back during his vacation. That was a gift from the England forward who spent the final few months of last season on loan at Villa Park. Both are expected to leave Old Trafford in the coming weeks with Rashford hoping Barcelona will firm up their interest in him. Meanwhile Garnacho has turned down a money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia where he could have linked up with his idol Cristiano Ronaldo. A move to Chelsea – which was first on the cards in January – has also been discussed again this summer but United were not interested in a swap involving Christopher Nkunku.
