By LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 13:07 EST, 17 December 2025 | Updated: 13:07 EST, 17 December 2025
Wayne Rooney's footballer son, Kai, has scored for Manchester United on his comeback from injury.
Kai, 16, has been involved with the Red Devils' Under-18 side but has been sidelined for months, having been injured, on crutches and his right foot in a protective boot.
In September, he shared an image of his predicament on Instagram alongside a caption of 'Life can't get worse'. Not long after, he shared a picture of himself in United training gear and wearing boots, he accompanied it with two sand-glass emojis - indicating that he is nearing a return to full-fitness.
It seemed that didn't turn out, however, and he has had to wait until mid-December for an eventual return to action. He had already earned a surprise call-up to the club's Under-19 squad earlier this season, aged 15, before his progress was halted.
And just weeks later he bagged his first goal for the Under-18s with a left-footed volley rifled into the top corner against Middlesbrough.
On Wednesday, he made his comeback, starting against Birmingham in the Premier League Cup and scoring the last goal of a 6-0 win.
Wayne Rooney's son, Kai, has scored on his Manchester United return after months out injured
Kai celebrated turning 16 with parents Wayne and Coleen earlier this year while he was out
Capable of playing as a striker or out wide, Rooney, who is Wayne and Colleen's oldest son, impressed for United at the Super Cup NI in Northern Ireland in the summer - a tournament which his father Wayne played in many years ago for Everton.
When asked about offering advice to his eldest son earlier this year, Wayne said he prefers a hands-off approach.
'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 joined United's academy in 2020 at the age of 11 and has steadily worked his way through the youth ranks. His playing style draws natural comparisons to his father, while staff at United have praised his composure, movement off the ball, and eye for goal.