Wayne Rooney ignores son Kai Rooney’s ban as he turns up to Man Utd clash | Football | Sport
Kai Rooney made his first ever appearance at Old Trafford for Man Utd’s youth team (Image: Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney defied a long-standing family rule by turning up to watch his son Kai play for Manchester United‘s Under-18s. The 16-year-old is treading his father’s path at United, having advanced through the club’s youth system since his 2009 arrival. Kai made his Old Trafford bow on Friday, entering as a replacement during extra time as United’s U18s claimed a 2-1 triumph over Derby U18s in the FA Youth Cup fourth round.
Wayne and his wife Coleen were observed in the stands, despite the former England skipper being officially ‘prohibited’ from attending Kai’s fixtures due to the commotion his appearance typically generates. Supporters regularly mob Wayne seeking signatures, leading Kai to bar him from watching live encounters to prevent sideline disruptions. “That’s the thing with kids I think, it’s hard to go on days out,” Coleen revealed in 2024.
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“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.’ Which is sad, but it can’t be helped anyway.”
Kai made his first appearance for United’s U-18s last August, at the age of 15. Appropriately, the match was against Everton, his father’s boyhood side.
He has featured in several games for the side in the subsequent months and has consistently caught the eye, especially as one of the youngest participants in the age category.
Sat in the stands alongside Wayne and Coleen was Man United interim head coach Michael Carrick, together with his assistants, Steven Holland, Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate.
Coleen and Wayne Rooney watch Kai from the stands (Image: Getty Images)
Carrick has deliberately immersed himself in every level of the club since taking charge as United boss until the campaign’s conclusion following Ruben Amorim‘s exit earlier this month.
Explaining his attendance, Carrick stated: “My message of support is that I’m coming along to watch and I’m excited. I was lucky enough to play in and win the FA Youth Cup when I was young at West Ham.
“It’s such an important competition, especially for this club. Young players, Old Trafford under the floodlights, feeling what it means, a bit of expectation.
Wayne Rooney, Kai Rooney and Coleen Rooney (Image: Getty Images)
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the young boys to go and take the next step. We’re all fully behind them, it’ll be a tough game, but we’re looking forward to it.”
Kai made his Old Trafford bow five years after penning his initial deal with the very institution where his father excelled so magnificently, becoming United’s record goalscorer. As he emerged onto the turf, just over 2,000 supporters serenaded him with choruses of “Rooney, Rooney.”
Whilst Kai is making significant strides in forging his own career, it’s important to note that Wayne had already emerged onto the stage at Everton at the same age, memorably netting a long-range strike against Arsenal to become one of the youngest goalscorers in Premier League history.
