Wayne Rooney’s son Kai is reportedly being lined up for a new contract at Manchester United, as the teenage forward continues to impress coaches while aiming to carve out his own path at the club where his father became a legend. According to reports, the 16-year-old has been offered fresh terms by United, where he has spent several years developing within the academy system.
Kai, who is set to complete his schooling this summer, has been part of the club’s youth setup for a considerable period, and his progress has not gone unnoticed. Club officials are said to be encouraged by his development both on and off the pitch, with expectations that he will be offered a formal scholarship either during the summer or just ahead of the upcoming season. The proposed deal is believed to be worth around £50,000 per year, reflecting United’s confidence in his potential.
The youngster is reportedly one of 14 academy players being offered renewed terms as part of what has been described as an exceptionally strong group. Among those included is Jacey Carrick, the son of Michael Carrick, who is currently serving as Manchester United’s interim manager. The presence of multiple second-generation footballers highlights the club’s emphasis on long-term development and continuity within its youth ranks.
For Kai Rooney, recent months have been particularly meaningful. After dealing with a series of injury setbacks, he finally had the opportunity to step onto the pitch at Old Trafford under the famous floodlights. On that night, everything bore his name—the iconic Rooney shirt in the dressing room, the tailored club suit, and the polished boots laid out ahead of kickoff. When the official FA Youth Cup team sheet was released, it was Kai’s name listed among the players.
It marked the first time Kai walked out at the Theatre of Dreams as a Manchester United player, a moment rich with symbolism given his father’s history at the club. This time, however, Wayne and his wife Coleen watched from the stands, proudly supporting their son rather than taking center stage themselves.
As the match went into extra time, Old Trafford’s announcer Alan Keegan—whose voice had echoed Wayne Rooney’s name countless times over the years—introduced Kai as he came on to replace defender Godwill Kukonki. The announcement sparked one of the loudest reactions of the evening, with the crowd of around 2,000 fans breaking into chants of “Rooney, Rooney.”
The substitution was made by Darren Fletcher, another former teammate of Wayne Rooney, adding yet another layer of nostalgia to the occasion. Despite the attention and emotion surrounding the moment, Kai handled it with composure, calmly taking in the atmosphere as his parents, seated near Michael Carrick, captured photos to commemorate the milestone.
Carrick later spoke about his decision to attend the match, describing his excitement at watching the young players compete. Drawing on his own experience of winning the FA Youth Cup with West Ham, he emphasized how significant the competition is, particularly at a club like Manchester United, where expectations and tradition run deep.
While the offer is believed to be on the table, it is understood that the Rooney family has yet to formally agree to the terms. Should the scholarship progress into a professional contract, the left-footed forward would earn around £50,000 annually, along with an additional signing-on fee. For Kai Rooney, the opportunity represents both a personal achievement and the first major step toward following in his father’s illustrious footsteps at Old Trafford.