Kai Rooney shows dad's predatory skills with goal as Man Utd U18s draw

Kai Rooney hit the back of the net for Manchester United Under-18s but they were pegged back in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.

They dominated long periods of the game and were good value for their lead from Rooney for Darren Fletcher’s side ahead in the 13th minute.

But a combination of missed chances and outstanding goalkeeping from Alastair Graham prevented the Reds from building a decisive advantage.

Forest capitalised 12 minutes from time when substitute Rabbi Ntege finished from his brother Jubilee’s lay-off, denying United a fifth consecutive league victory.

Rooney showed predatory skills his dad Wayne would have been proud of and was a threat until he was taken off midway through the second half.

The result means United have now drawn their last two matches, following the 2-2 stalemate with Chelsea in the Under-18 Premier League Cup, but remain unbeaten since losing their opening league game of the season.

Fletcher made five changes for the trip to the East Midlands, with Jayden Ngwashi and Sam O’Brien coming into defence, David Eze and Jacey Carrick starting in midfield, and Emmanuel Ziro selected on the right flank.

United made a lively start and threatened inside five minutes when Nathaniel-Junior Brown cut inside and fired narrowly wide from 20 yards.

Their early pressure soon paid off. Ziro closed down Forest goalkeeper Graham, forcing an error that allowed Rooney to pounce on the loose ball and slide home from close range for his first league goal of the campaign.

Rooney thought he had doubled the advantage seven minutes later after being played through by Jariyah Shah, rounding Graham and finishing neatly.

However, the assistant referee’s flag ruled the effort out for offside.

United continued to create opportunities, with Jay McEvoy seeing a close-range effort kept out after meeting Carrick’s delivery.

Brown then tested Graham with a low drive, which the Forest goalkeeper turned around the post, before producing another excellent save to deny Rooney’s curling effort.

The hosts failed to register a shot on target in the first half as United controlled possession and looked the more likely side to score again.

The pattern continued after the break. Brown fired over following a neat exchange with McEvoy before forcing Graham into another save with an angled drive.

Rooney looked poised to convert the rebound, but Okello Odongo Bartley threw himself in front of the volley to preserve Forest’s deficit.

Brown remained a constant threat down the left, firing wide before switching play brilliantly to Ziro, whose looping header was comfortably dealt with by Graham.

Forest gradually offered more going forward, with Charlie Hardy called into action to stop a fierce effort from Shakur Samuels.

The same player then sent a low free-kick narrowly wide as the hosts began to find openings.

Fletcher introduced Douka Abdoulaye, Harlem McLaughlin, Jacob Watson and Harley Emsden-James in an attempt to inject fresh energy into United’s attack, but the decisive moment went against the visitors.

In the 78th minute, Jubilee Ntege delivered across the penalty area for his brother Rabbi, who swept a dipping finish beyond Hardy to level the contest against the run of play.

United responded by pushing for a late winner. Shah saw a powerful drive blocked after a corner was cleared, while McEvoy’s effort took a deflection and narrowly missed the target.

But Graham and the Forest defence held firm, leaving the Reds to reflect on a missed opportunity after their commanding start.

United will look to return to winning ways next Saturday, when they host rivals Liverpool at Carrington in an eagerly anticipated Under-18 Premier League North encounter. Kick-off is scheduled for 11:00.