Kai Rooney had been shining bright for Manchester United’s youth squads but this all came to a screeching halt in March
Kai Rooney will miss Manchester United’s FA Youth Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace due to a season-ending injury.
The rising star won’t be in the squad on Friday as United aim to make it past Palace to get to the final of the competition to face Manchester City. The 16-year-old has been making the first steps in replicating his father Wayne’s career in England.
Kai made his first appearance at Old Trafford in January, coming on as a substitute as the U18s beat Derby County in the fourth round of the Youth Cup. However, despite racking up two goals and one assist in just 119 minutes of action under Darren Fletcher, the teenager won’t pull on the famous shirt again this season.
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The young Rooney told his social media followers that he will be out for the remainder of the campaign to recover from injury. He wrote on Instagram: “Disappointed to be out for the rest of the season. Back stronger next pre-season.”
This sad admission is not the first time Rooney has shared his injury setbacks online. Earlier in the season, the 16-year-old snapped a picture of himself in a medical boot and on crutches, summing up his emotions with the caption: “Life can’t get worse.”
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Rooney’s two physical complications have been difficult for the youngster to handle as he bids to become the next big thing at Old Trafford. However, the 2025/26 campaign has not been without success for Kai, as he was part of the U16s side that won the Super Cup NI.
This win has been coupled with the pride Wayne would feel watching his son make his Old Trafford debut in January during the 2-1 win against Derby. It was a good opportunity for the elder Rooney to see his son play after Kai banned his dad from watching his games in person.
During her appearance on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in 2024, mum Coleen admitted Kai had set a ban on Wayne due to fanfare he brought with him. She said: “That’s the thing with kids, I think, it’s hard to go on days out.
“Kai told Wayne to stop coming to football games, when he played grassroots tournaments and stuff, because he used to get swarmed and he couldn’t even watch the game.”
Kai himself will now be forced to watch from the sidelines as the U18s aim for a place in the FA Youth Cup final.
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