Kai Rooney has suffered a huge setback while playing for Manchester United's development team, with the forward issuing a sad update on social media
07:34, 11 Sep 2025Updated 07:36, 11 Sep 2025
Wayne Rooney, Kai Rooney and Coleen Rooney
Wayne Rooney, Kai Rooney and Coleen Rooney(Image: Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney's 15-year-old footballer son Kai has claimed "life can't get worse" after sustaining a brutal injury while playing for Manchester United's development team.
United and England legend turned football manager and BBC pundit Rooney, 35, is hopeful his eldest child will follow in his illustrious footsteps. Regrettably, the only steps Wayne and Coleen's son will be taking in the near future will be with the aid of crutches.
Prior to this setback, Kai was making rapid strides at Old Trafford. He was promoted to the United-19s squad where he was rubbing shoulders with other prospects four years his senior. His promotion was swiftly followed by a stunning goal he netted for the Under-18s, where he unleashed a left-footed volley into the top corner.
Unfortunately, any positive momentum he had gathered will need to be rebuilt as he faces a spell on the sidelines. Kai shared a mirror selfie showcasing the protective boot on his right foot. Overlaying the photo, he wrote: "Life can't get worse" accompanied by a crying emoji, reports the Mirror.
Kai Rooney wearing a protective boot in a mirror selfie
Kai's post would make any football fan feel sorry for him(Image: Instagram/kairooney.10)
The specifics of his injury and the duration of his recovery period remain uncertain. However, the sentiment in his post suggests it may be some time before he returns to play for United.
There's been huge buzz around Kai and his prospects at Old Trafford. Just like his dad, Kai usually takes up a central position for United, but he's also shone in wider areas. The young Rooney made quite an impression playing for the Red Devils in the Super Cup NI in Northern Ireland earlier this summer.
Wayne himself starred in a similar tournament during his early days as a promising talent at Everton. He was seen cheering on his son's performances alongside wife Coleen and their youngest sons, Kit and Cass.
When asked about any influence he might have had on Kai's budding football career, the former England captain revealed that rather than bombarding him with advice, he's letting Kai play the game his own way.
Wayne Rooney with son Kai at Manchester United contract signing
Wayne Rooney with his son Kai at his Manchester United contract signing(Image: Instagram/kairooney.10)
In a past chat with BBC Sport, Rooney shared: "I just let him play. I think they started the competition well, they won 3-0, he scored the penalty and got an assist. So I think he started OK. He just plays and that's all he's done during his time playing.
"I think it's very unfair for anyone to expect him to go and do all kinds. He's just playing, he's a 15-year-old boy playing his football, enjoying it. Of course he gets different attention to a lot of his team-mates but I think he handles that really well.
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"He has great coaches at Manchester United, so I take a stand off approach. I speak to him, but for me it's all about his mentality and his mindset, to make sure he keeps enjoying it - that's the main thing for me."
Kai has been part of the United academy since he was 11 years old. He joined the Red Devils' youth ranks in 2020, where his playing style has stirred up memories of his famous father's performances at Old Trafford.