Wayne Rooney was in attendance as his son Kai Rooney provided an assist for Manchester United's Under-18s in a commanding 6-1 victory over the Rams
Wayne Rooney pundit for Amazon Prime Video during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Aston Villa FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park
Former Derby County boss Wayne Rooney(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA, Getty Images)
View Image
Former Derby County boss Wayne Rooney watched his son Kai feature for Manchester United against the Rams' Under-18s - but it was another Old Trafford wonderkid who stole the show.
Teenage Rooney has become a consistent presence in the Red Devils' Under-18s side this season as he attempts to follow in his father's legendary footsteps.
The 16-year-old appeared on the pitch once more this week during United's emphatic 6-1 victory over Derby. Though beginning the match on the bench, Kai came on following the interval.
He made certain to make his impact felt by setting up Noah Ajayi's goal, which sealed the rout. Wayne was amongst those watching, joined by former teammate John O'Shea.
United interim boss Michael Carrick was also present, along with coaching personnel Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate.
Wayne has returned to observing his son in action, having previously been asked to stay away from fixtures at smaller grounds, though he did attend Kai's Old Trafford bow earlier this season.
Speaking in 2024, wife Coleen revealed: "That's the thing with kids I think, it's hard to go on days out. 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.
"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 (Kai) just said, 'Oh, dad there's no point you coming because you don't even watch me play anyway'.
Here's how to ensure our latest headlines always appear* *at the top of your Google Search
"Which is sad, but it can't be helped anyway. At the same time, the fans help you along the way and get you where you are."
Whilst Wayne would have been thrilled to see his son's performance, it was Kai's teammates who stole the show. Ajayi netted twice, whilst both Louie Bradbury and JJ Gabriel each scored a brace.
Wayne has previously offered his thoughts on the current crop of youngsters at Old Trafford, indicating they experienced heightened pressure following Cristiano Ronaldo's return to the club, which happened to coincide with his son playing for the team.
He explained: "There's a bit more pressure on them as well. Kai and [when Cristiano] Ronaldo came back, Ronaldo's lads and Michael Carrick's lad were all on the same team.
"You go and watch and then all of a sudden there's like 10 times the amount of people that's normally there, all around the pitch watching, so there's a lot more pressure because they're coming to watch the three kids to see how they play and stuff. They've got to be ready."
What did you make of Rooney's time as manager? Have your say HERE