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Wayne Rooney’s son bumped up three age groups with surprise Man United call-up
Wayne Rooney’s son Kai may well be the real deal having received a call-up to Manchester United Under-19s. The son of the England legend is aged just 15, but has made the step up thanks to some impressive recent performances. @kairooney.10Kai is steadily making a name for himself as a future star[/caption] In the Super Cup NI in Northern Ireland he scored and assisted for United’s U16s in their run to the final where they lost to Southampton. That tournament, which has taken place since 1983, is one of the most renowned on the British youth football calendar, and as such has earned Kai a place at one of Europe’s most prestigious youth events. The Mladen Ramljak Memorial Tournament is in its 22nd year, having seen top talents including Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga shine at it over the years. The competition consists of two groups and features a number of Europe’s elite with hosts Dinamo Zagreb welcoming Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and AC Milan alongside United. United made it to the final of the under-19 tournament last year where they lost to Dinamo, but will be hoping to go one further with Rooney Jnr an option up front and on the wing. This will be his first experience playing three age groups above, and he’ll have plenty of eyes on himself and his teammates. United will be hoping that Kai doesn’t have any post-match chats with the scouts present, avoiding any repeats of when his father was linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City in 2010. However, he has previously admitted he doesn’t even support the club where his dad is their all-time top scorer. “I support Everton,” he said in 2023. “I know people might expect me to support Man United but it’s my dad’s team and I am from there. “I have a love for Man United as well but my team is Everton.” Rooney joined United back in 2020 and is gradually making his way up the orderTwitter @WayneRooney Kai is one of four children that Wayne and wife Coleen have, with all of them boys. The eldest of the boys first hit the headlines in 2020 when he signed for United’s academy aged just 11. Wayne said at the time while coaching Derby: “Yeah, I’m a proud dad. “He’s been working hard, he obviously came over to the States with us to continue with his football,” the now interim Derby boss said at a press conference on Friday. “He went on trial with Manchester United and he’s impressed the coaches. He signed his forms yesterday so I’m delighted for him. “He did have other options, other clubs to go to but he decided he wants to sign for Manchester United, so it was his decision and not mine.” Despite his dad being a United legend, Kai admits Everton are his teamGetty - Contributor Clips of the youngster have since gone viral, including one of a famous goal against rivals Manchester City with the under-12s. He later claimed to have scored 56 goals and registered 28 assists during the 2021/22 season. Another goal against City came in the final of the U13 National Cup North and it was the match-winner. Talking about Kai’s progress in 2023, Wayne said: “He’s enjoying it, that’s the most important thing. “He’s doing everything he can to try to have a career in football and not just him, my other children as well. “They love the game and my advice — to any children — is play to enjoy. There’s that much pressure when you do get to the professional level and sometimes you forget why you’re playing the game. It’s another proud moment for dad Wayne who is currently out of work after being sacked by PlymouthGetty “You’re playing because you love playing the game and you enjoy playing the game. As long as you’re doing everything right to give yourself the best opportunity then you never know. “Young players develop at different times and in different ways. He’s trying, he’s giving it a go and hopefully he can get to the level he wants.” Kai will now take on the Mladen Ramljak Memorial Tournament from August 7 to 10, with United facing Rapid Vienna, Juventus and Dinamo in Group A.
Wayne Rooney’s son Kai may well be the real deal having received a call-up to Manchester United Under-19s.
The son of the England legend is aged just 15, but has made the step up thanks to some impressive recent performances.
In the Super Cup NI in Northern Ireland he scored and assisted for United’s U16s in their run to the final where they lost to Southampton.
That tournament, which has taken place since 1983, is one of the most renowned on the British youth football calendar, and as such has earned Kai a place at one of Europe’s most prestigious youth events.
The Mladen Ramljak Memorial Tournament is in its 22nd year, having seen top talents including Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga shine at it over the years.
The competition consists of two groups and features a number of Europe’s elite with hosts Dinamo Zagreb welcoming Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and AC Milan alongside United.
United made it to the final of the under-19 tournament last year where they lost to Dinamo, but will be hoping to go one further with Rooney Jnr an option up front and on the wing.
This will be his first experience playing three age groups above, and he’ll have plenty of eyes on himself and his teammates.
United will be hoping that Kai doesn’t have any post-match chats with the scouts present, avoiding any repeats of when his father was linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City in 2010.
However, he has previously admitted he doesn’t even support the club where his dad is their all-time top scorer.
“I support Everton,” he said in 2023. “I know people might expect me to support Man United but it’s my dad’s team and I am from there.
“I have a love for Man United as well but my team is Everton.”
Kai is one of four children that Wayne and wife Coleen have, with all of them boys.
The eldest of the boys first hit the headlines in 2020 when he signed for United’s academy aged just 11.
Wayne said at the time while coaching Derby: “Yeah, I’m a proud dad.
“He’s been working hard, he obviously came over to the States with us to continue with his football,” the now interim Derby boss said at a press conference on Friday.
“He went on trial with Manchester United and he’s impressed the coaches. He signed his forms yesterday so I’m delighted for him.
“He did have other options, other clubs to go to but he decided he wants to sign for Manchester United, so it was his decision and not mine.”
Clips of the youngster have since gone viral, including one of a famous goal against rivals Manchester City with the under-12s.
He later claimed to have scored 56 goals and registered 28 assists during the 2021/22 season.
Another goal against City came in the final of the U13 National Cup North and it was the match-winner.
Talking about Kai’s progress in 2023, Wayne said: “He’s enjoying it, that’s the most important thing.
“He’s doing everything he can to try to have a career in football and not just him, my other children as well.
“They love the game and my advice — to any children — is play to enjoy. There’s that much pressure when you do get to the professional level and sometimes you forget why you’re playing the game.
“You’re playing because you love playing the game and you enjoy playing the game. As long as you’re doing everything right to give yourself the best opportunity then you never know.
“Young players develop at different times and in different ways. He’s trying, he’s giving it a go and hopefully he can get to the level he wants.”
Kai will now take on the Mladen Ramljak Memorial Tournament from August 7 to 10, with United facing Rapid Vienna, Juventus and Dinamo in Group A.
