Kai Rooney could be set to follow in the footsteps of his famous father and Manchester United legend, Wayne
Coleen Rooney has revealed how her footballer son Kai responds to questions about his ability.
Kai, 16, the eldest of Wayne and Coleen’s four children, has hinted he will make his Old Trafford debut on Friday night, when United U18s face Derby County in the FA Youth Cup. Ahead of the game, Kai took to Instagram to share a picture of himself and his dad, both in United kits, on the Old Trafford pitch from around a decade ago.
He intriguingly captured the picture with “OT” with heart and staring eyes emojis, suggesting he is about to grace the Old Trafford pitch as a player for the first time, which would be a proud moment for the Rooney family.
Kai, who only turned 16 in November, has recently broken into the team, which is managed by Darren Fletcher. However, those games weren’t at Old Trafford as youth team matches usually take place at Leigh Sports Village or Carrington.
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Old Trafford is available as the first team are away at Arsenal on Sunday. While Kai is undoubtedly a hot prospect, Wayne and Coleen have been keen not to heap any pressure on him or their other sons.
There has certainly been no expectation that they try to follow in their dad’s legendary footsteps. Coleen told the Mirror in September 2024: “We’ve never pressured them into even playing football. 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 are as good as your dad?’
“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.”
Kai is now being coached by Fletcher, who has returned to the youth set-up following his two-game stint as interim first-team boss in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s sacking.
Michael Carrick has since taken charge until the end of the season, with former England assistant Steve Holland being appointed as his number two. Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans have also been drafted into the coaching set-up.
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