Kai Rooney follows in dad Wayne’s footsteps by reaching major Man Utd milestone as nightmare scenario plays out

Wayne Rooney’s 16-year-old son Kai took a major step in his journey to Manchester United’s first team on Friday (October 16), making his debut for the club’s Under-21 side.

Kai, who is the oldest of Wayne’s four sons, will turn 17 in November, meaning he can potentially sign a professional contract with the Old Trafford club and follow in his father’s footsteps.

At the same age, Wayne had already burst onto the scene by smashing past Arsenal’s David Seaman for Everton.

READ NEXT: Most valuable players Premier League clubs can snap up for free this summer

Kai Rooney takes major step in Man Utd career

Kai is no doubt taking the right steps in his own career, making his debut for United’s Under-21 side against Nottingham Forest.

The teenager was introduced in the 77th minute with the score at 2-2, before disaster struck when Forest’s Shakur Samuels made it 3-2 late on.

Kai’s appearance came just three days after he made his UEFA Youth League debut against Atletico Madrid Under-19s.

In February, it was widely reported that Kai had been offered an initial one-year scholarship, with a view to progressing to a three-year professional deal said to be worth £50,000 per year plus a signing-on fee. However, Kai appeared to rubbish the claims via Instagram, posting: “Don’t listen to mail [three laughing emojis].”

The 16-year-old has been at United since he was 11. Kai’s teammates include wantaway prodigy JJ Gabriel, as well as Michael Carrick’s son Jacey.

READ NEXT: How Man Utd will line-up under Antonio Conte with three new signings and one star player dropped

What has Wayne Rooney said about Kai playing for Man Utd?

Given who his father is, Kai has received more attention than most throughout his journey through United’s academy, with Wayne warning against potential hangers-on.

“We’ve got this with Kai having signed for Manchester United,” Wayne told The Guardian. “We know who his friends are. He’s joined United and if there’s suddenly a group of people starting to get close to him, you’ll see that. I’m not saying you can’t make new friends …”

Discussing his son’s journey further during episode three of the Disney+ series The Rooneys, he added: “Kai wants his own legacy, and I’ll be there to support him.

“What I don’t want is him to get a scholarship or get a contract because of me. I want it to be because of him in his own right. It’s something he’s wanted for a long time, so [I’ll] be proud, really proud of him to get a scholarship.”

Wayne also has three other sons — Klay, Kit and Cass — with his long-term wife, Coleen.

When asked whether all four sons could go on to become footballers, Wayne simply replied: “I don’t know.”

Kit and Cass, according to Wayne, are promising footballers, while Klay is also in United’s academy.

READ NEXT: How Man Utd could line up under Eddie Howe with four new signings and two stars dropped