Rooney drops statement as Man Utd star not playing again this season | Football | Sport
Kai Rooney has been ruled out for the rest of the season (Image: Getty)
Kai Rooney has announced that he will miss the rest of the season through injury.
Rooney, 16, the son of United legend Wayne, has been in prolific form for the club’s Under 16s this campaign.
Last weekend, the 2009-born sensation scored twice and grabbed two assists in just 45 minutes against Blackburn Rovers.
He did the damage for the U16s before stepping across and playing for the Under 18s, once again against Blackburn, and he made a similar impact, coming on in the 63rd minute and finding the back of the net.
Then on Tuesday, Rooney helped United lift the Premier League Shield with the U16s following a 2-0 win against Burnley. But less than 48 hours later, he has confirmed that will be the final game he will play in the 2025/26 season.
Alongside a photo of him playing for United, Rooney said in an Instagram story: “Disappointed to be out for the rest of the season. Back stronger next pre-season [red love heart emoji].”
Kai Rooney’s latest announcement is a bitter blow (Image: Getty)
It’s a bitter blow for Rooney, who had been impressing for the U16s and U18s after recovering from an injury setback earlier in the season. But United are excited about his potential and feel he is on the same level as JJ Gabriel, who is in line to be fast-tracked into the first team following an outstanding seasion for the 15-year-old.
Rooney, who has his first scholarship deal at United, will be eligable to sign a professional contract next season.
United U18s have reached the semi-final of the FA Youth Cup and the final of the Premier League Cup, but Rooney won’t be able to feature in either of those matches.
Despite this, Rooney appears to have a huge future in the game and he penned a lucrative deal with Triple S Sports, an agency with which his father Wayne has a long-term agreement.
And Coleen Rooney, Wayne’s wife and Kai’s mother, previously said in interview that the teenager is used to the limelight due to the family he has been born into.
She told The Times: “He’s lived it from a young age. When we used to go to matches when he was younger and he’d get a lot of people coming up saying, ‘Oh, are you Wayne Rooney’s son?’
“But he is strong-minded and he always has been. I’ve got no worries about the way he deals with it. It’s nice that we know what to expect.
“And we can try to guide him. Obviously, it’s his life, his passion. He can decide what he wants to do. But I think it’s good we’ve got the knowledge.”
