Kai Rooney looks to be following in his fathers footsteps as the 12-year-old bagged an incredible 84 goals and assists in the Manchester United academy last season.

The youngster finished the campaign off with 56 goals and 28 assists in a prolific season for the United under-12 side, and it looks as though he could emulate his father, Wayne. Rooney is United's all-time top goalscorer, and if his son is anything like his father, United will reap the benefits for years to come.

And it's not just Rooney's son that's in the academy, as Cristiano Ronaldo Jr is also playing alongside the young Englishman. Ronaldo's son is slightly younger at the age of 11, but they're set to make up the next generation.

It's expected to be a slightly different career path for Kai, as his father came through the academy at Everton before making the move to United as a teenager. Wayne on the other hand, became the most expensive signing under the age of 20 of all-time when United paid £27million to Everton.

There is some way to go for Kai, who is certainly on the right track at the age of 12. And at the age of 15 his father was already in the under-19 squad at Everton.

Wayne began playing for Liverpool Schoolboys and scored 72 goals in one season, a record which stood until May 2010. At the age of just nine, Wayne played for Copplehouse boys' club in the local Walton and Kirkdale junior league, and scored 99 goals in his last season before being spotted by Everton.

Kai is playing at a much higher level for his age, and is still posting great numbers, which should excite all United fans. And in a dream scenario, he will come through the academy with Ronaldo Jr at a similar time.

The homegrown talent hasn't been utilised much at United recently, with Marcus Rashford struggling to make the side, and only Scott McTominay and Anthony Elanga are representing the academy boys. But there is hope for the future, and United need it.

Gone are the dominant days at Old Trafford, and the Red Devils are coming up to a decade without a Premier League title. But we have seen golden generations of talent over the years, and it could be United's turn in years to come.

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