Wayne and Coleen Rooney watched their son Kai make his Old Trafford debut for Manchester United U18s in the FA Youth Cup against Derby County, but he almost followed a completely different path
12:44, 01 Feb 2026
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: 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. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Manchester United via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Kai Rooney once requested to leave Manchester United(Image: Manchester United, Manchester United via Getty Images)
Wayne and Coleen Rooney were bursting with pride last week as they watched their eldest son Kai follow in his father's footsteps. The 16-year-old made his Old Trafford bow for Manchester United U18s during a 2-1 victory over Derby County in the FA Youth Cup.
It's been more than two decades since Wayne joined United in 2004, eventually becoming the club's record goalscorer with 253 goals across 559 matches. When he retired in 2021, he also boasted the accolade of being England's leading marksman of all time.
Given his father's extraordinary achievements, Kai's budding career inevitably draws parallels. However, Wayne and Coleen have consistently recognised the burden their children would shoulder and declined to push football on them. This explains why Kai was permitted to join Manchester City at age seven, after confessing he wasn't enjoying his time at United. He eventually departed City when Wayne moved to America to represent DC United.
Kai Rooney, Coleen Rooney and Wayne Rooney
View 3 Images
Wayne and Coleen Rooney allowed son Kai to make decisions about his football career(Image: Anthony Devlin, Getty Images for Disney+)
The youngster then returned to United in 2020, though his Old Trafford debut offered a rare opportunity for the club icon to witness his son in action.
"Kai told Wayne to stop coming to football games when he played grassroots tournaments and stuff, because he used to get swarmed, and he couldn't even watch the game," Coleen revealed on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here in 2024. "How do you say to all of these kids, 'Go away, I'm watching my son?'
"Adults, it's different, you could speak to them, so he just said, 'Oh, dad, there's no point you coming because you don't even watch me play anyway.' Which is sad, but it can't be helped."
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates with his son Kai and the Premier League trophy after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Swansea at Old Trafford on May 12, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Kai joined his father Wayne on the Old Trafford pitch(Image: John Peters, Manchester United via Getty Images)
Kai made his United U18s debut as a 15-year-old earlier this season. Last week, he started the FA Youth Cup clash on the substitutes' bench, coming on during extra time as Darren Fletcher's side advanced with a 2-1 triumph.
Wayne and Coleen were seen taking photographs as Kai entered the pitch. Having previously walked the turf with his father during celebration laps, he is now forging his own journey at the club.
After the Derby match, Wayne posted a photo of himself with a young Kai on social media. His message stated: "Then and now. Proud of you, Kai."
Kai's parents were seated next to first team interim manager Michael Carrick, whose son also features for United's academy. Wayne has recently voiced his views on the significance of the club's youth system, having questioned former United manager Ruben Amorim's approach.
Kai has grown up in the spotlight and became a Puma ambassador at 12. Coleen has previously detailed her and Wayne's approach to nurturing young footballers and revealed how their eldest responds to comparisons with his father.
"We've never pressured them into even playing football," Coleen told the Mirror in September 2024. "We've always just let them decide what they want to do. My eight-year-old was playing and doing really well but then decided he didn't want to, and that's OK.
"I think they sometimes get pressure off other people, you know. People approach them now and then if we're out, they do say, 'Are you as good as your dad?'".
Article continues below
"Kai says, 'I'm a different type of player.' You've got to let them know that you don't have to follow and to be your own person."