Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney faces the painful reality of being unable to watch his eldest son play football for the club's youth teams. The legendary striker has been asked by 16-year-old Kai Rooney to stay away from his matches to avoid disruptive crowds.
The Heartbreaking Request from a Son
Kai Rooney, who joined Manchester United's academy at age 11, made the emotional plea to his father after grassroots tournaments became overwhelmed. The intense media and fan attention that follows Wayne, United's all-time top scorer with 253 goals, consistently overshadowed Kai's performances on the pitch.
Coleen Rooney, Wayne's wife, revealed the situation during her 2024 appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here. She explained that Kai told his dad: "Oh, dad there's no point you coming because you don't even watch me play anyway." This comment stemmed from Wayne being constantly swarmed for photos and autographs, preventing him from actually observing the game.
Living in the Shadow of a Legend
The pressure on Kai is immense. As the eldest of Wayne and Coleen's four boys, he carries the weight of expectation to emulate his father's phenomenal success. Wayne Rooney became a household name at Kai's current age, later captaining United and winning five Premier League titles over a storied 13-year first-team career.
While the spotlight has brought Kai opportunities—including a boot deal with Puma at just 12 years old—it has also created significant challenges. The frenzy surrounding Wayne's presence at matches ultimately forced the family to make a difficult choice to protect Kai's development and experience.
Kai's Progress at Manchester United
Despite the off-pitch complications, Kai's football journey continues. He made his debut for United's Under-18s in August 2025, aged just 15, coming off the bench in a 1-0 victory over Everton at Finch Farm. After an injury setback early in the campaign, he has returned to action under coach Darren Fletcher, even marking his comeback with a goal.
Wayne, now 40, has spoken about trying to strike a balance in supporting his sons—Klay and Cass also play for United and Everton academies respectively. On The Wayne Rooney Show, he admitted he largely leaves tactical instruction to the club's coaches but shares general advice on technique and control at home.
The situation highlights the unique burdens faced by children of sporting legends, where a parent's fame can inadvertently complicate their own path to success. For now, Wayne Rooney must support his son's Manchester United career from a distance, a sacrifice made to give Kai the space he needs to flourish.
