Kai Rooney has been following in his legendary dad's footsteps by making a name for himself in Manchester United's academy but has now suffered a setback after sustaining an injury
Manchester United's Kai Rooney in action during the Under 18 Premier League between Manchester United U18s and Middlesbrough U18s at Carrington Training Ground on August 23, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Manchester United talent Kai Rooney has suffered an injury (Image: Anthony Devlin/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney once admitted it's too early to say whether his aspiring footballer son, Kai, will make it at Manchester United. That was before Kai, 15, delivered a devastating update following a recent injury setback, saying: "Life can't get worse".
Rooney junior has understandably faced enormous expectations from fans since joining United's academy system as an 11-year-old in 2020, given that his father ranks among England's finest ever players and holds the record as the club's top goal scorer.
But the teenager reportedly scored 56 goals during his first campaign with the Red Devils. He has also followed in his dad's footsteps by usually operating in a central position but also impacting games in wider areas, earning him comparisons with the United legend.
Kai's progression through the youth setup earned him a recent call-up to the United Under-19s squad, where he featured alongside players who are four years his senior. His call-up was followed by a brilliant strike for the Under-18s, where he unleashed a left-footed volley into the top corner.
Yet the youngster's progress has now suffered a devastating blow. This week, Kai posted on Instagram a mirror selfie showing himself on crutches while wearing a protective boot on his right foot.
In a caption accompanying the photo, he wrote: "Life can't get worse," alongside a crying emoji, indicating he has suffered a serious injury while representing United's development team. The tone of his message implies it could be quite some time before he returns to action for United.
While he is yet to wrestle the spotlight onto himself in the same way as his iconic father did when he burst onto the scene at Everton aged 16, Kai's ability and playing style is certainly reminiscent of his famous father in his prime at Old Trafford.
Kai Rooney and Wayne Rooney during Nordoff Robbins' Legends of Football at JW Marriott Grosvenor House on October 07, 2024 in London, England.
Wayne Rooney takes a relaxed approach to his son's budding football career
But Rooney has sought to ease any burden on his son by taking things one step at a time, repeatedly emphasising that it's too early to tell whether Kai will make it to the United senior squad and warning his son there is a long road ahead.
Even before his injury, the 39-year-old aimed to keep Kai grounded and manage expectations. He told Gary Neville: "[He has] my physique, but he'll be taller than me and he's a goal scorer, he's in the box, he sniffs chances out and that's his game, so he's doing okay."
Fellow United legend Neville then asked: "Obviously you can't remember yourself, but is he at that sort of level where you think he's got a chance, or is it too early?"
Rooney responded: "I think it's too early, you never know. I think he's showing potential and good signs. So, obviously, he'll be at United now for the next two years, and that's when they make decisions on you, so just wait and see."