Kai Rooney is looking to follow in his iconic father’s footsteps, but the Manchester United youngster is battling back from his injury setback
Kai Rooney is trying to regain his fitness(Image: James Gill – Danehouse, Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney’s son Kai has given fans an encouraging update, revealing he is back on his feet running as he continues his recovery from injury. The teenager made his first appearance at Old Trafford back in January.
He came on as a substitute in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup for the Reds, under U18s manager and his father’s former team-mate Darren Fletcher. Rooney impressed under the ex-Reds midfielder, chipping in with two goals and an assist in just 119 minutes of football.
However, in March, a serious injury brought his campaign to a premature end, leaving him side-lined ever since. Just one month after informing his social media followers that his season was over, Rooney offered a fresh update.
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He posted a photo of himself sporting United tracksuit bottoms and football boots. Alongside the image on his Instagram story, Rooney simply wrote: “Back running.”
It’s a far more uplifting message than his earlier post, in which he confirmed he would play no further part for the Reds’ youngsters this season. He had written: “Disappointed to be out for the rest of the season. Back stronger next pre-season.”
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This isn’t the first occasion Rooney has been side-lined by a serious injury. In September 2025, he had received a call-up to the U19s squad, shortly after netting a stunning volley for the U18s side, despite competing against youngsters considerably older than himself.
However, he subsequently sustained a foot injury, which he confirmed by posting a photograph of himself in a protective boot on his right foot. In his caption, he wrote: “Life can’t get worse” alongside a crying emoji, which prompted widespread sympathy throughout the football community.
Kai Rooney had an update for his social media followers(Image: Instagram/Kai Rooney)
It proved a massive disappointment for him, as he had caught the eye while shining for the Reds’ youth side at the Super Cup in Northern Ireland during the summer of last year. Given his legendary father also featured in the same competition as a teenager in Everton’s ranks, it would have been a poignant occasion for the Rooney family.
In a previous interview with BBC Sport, Rooney senior has emphasised there is no pressure on his son. He said: “I just let him play. I think they started the competition well, they won 3-0, he scored the penalty and got an assist. So I think he started OK. He just plays and that’s all he’s done during his time playing.
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“I think it’s very unfair for anyone to expect him to go and do all kinds. He’s just playing, he’s a 15-year-old boy playing his football, enjoying it. Of course he gets different attention to a lot of his team-mates but I think he handles that really well.
“He has great coaches at Manchester United, so I take a stand off approach. I speak to him, but for me it’s all about his mentality and his mindset, to make sure he keeps enjoying it – that’s the main thing for me.”
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