Manchester United have implemented a strict boot policy in their academy that even applies to the son of club legend Wayne Rooney. Wayne has revealed that his 16-year-old son, Kai, is prohibited from wearing his sponsored Puma football boots for the club's U16 side.
No Special Treatment for a Legend's Son
Speaking on The Smith Brothers: Not A Podcast, Wayne Rooney explained the rule that affects all young players. "He's obviously with Puma but when he plays for the Manchester United U16s, something which I really like is he can't wear his Puma boots," the former England captain said. He praised the reasoning behind the policy, which is designed to promote equality and avoid disparity among youngsters from different financial backgrounds.
"All the academy have to wear the same boots. They do it because there's people from areas where they can't afford certain boots so I think it's really good," Rooney added. However, the rule relaxes for older age groups, meaning Kai can wear his Puma boots when he features for the U18s.
Kai Rooney's Promising United Journey
Kai Rooney, a left-footed forward like his father, has been part of United's youth setup since he was 11 years old. He signed a boot deal with Puma at the age of 12 in 2022. This season, he began playing for the U18s at just 15, making his debut as a substitute in a 1-0 win over Everton in August 2025.
He marked his next appearance by coming off the bench to score in a 5-0 victory against Middlesbrough. His progress was briefly halted by an injury early in the season, but he has since returned to action for Darren Fletcher's side, scoring on his comeback.
Following in Famous Footsteps
The teenager carries a significant legacy, with his father being United's all-time leading scorer with 253 goals and a winner of five Premier League titles and the Champions League during his 13 years at Old Trafford. Kai has expressed his own ambitions, telling The Talent Hunter on Instagram that in five years he hopes to be "playing on the biggest stage amongst the best players, winning trophies."
Wayne Rooney also provided an update on his other footballing sons. Klay is also on United's books, while Cass plays for Everton's academy. Their third son, Kit, has already 'retired' from the sport.
Despite the family name, Wayne's revelation about the boot ban underscores that within the walls of Carrington, talent and team ethos are prioritised over any personal sponsorship deals or privileged backgrounds.
