Kai Rooney, the eldest son of Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, has reportedly been prevented from wearing his own football boots while playing for the club’s youth teams. The 16-year-old is currently part of United’s academy setup at Carrington.
Despite his steady progress through the ranks, Kai faces a unique restriction due to club policy. Although he is already a Puma-sponsored athlete, having signed a deal at just 12 years old, he is not allowed to wear Puma boots during matches for Manchester United’s under-16 side.
The situation was discussed by Wayne Rooney during an appearance on The Smith Brothers: Not A Podcast. The former England captain explained that when his son represents United at youth level, he must comply with the club’s equipment rules rather than his personal sponsorship.
Wayne added that he actually supports the policy, viewing it as a positive example of discipline and structure within the academy system. In his view, the rule reinforces the idea that no individual is placed above the team, regardless of name or commercial ties.
Kai continues to develop as a promising forward within the United setup, balancing the demands of academy football with growing external attention. The boot restriction highlights the strict standards applied at the club, even to the children of its most iconic figures.
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