Wayne Rooney’s son Kai has been offered a new deal by Manchester United, where he hopes of follow in the footsteps of his famous dad, according to a report.
The 16-year-old forward, who finishes school in the summer, has been in United’s academy for a number of years and the club have been impressed by his progress.
It is likely a scholarship will be offered to the youngster in the summer or on the eve of the new season, with a £50,000 a year deal in the pipeline, according to The Sun.
Kai is said to be part of a ‘very strong’ group of 14 youngsters offered new deals by the club.
The gifted bunch also includes Jacey Carrick – son of Michael, who is interim United manager.
Last month, under the Old Trafford lights, it was finally Kai’s night following a run of injury struggles. The Rooney shirt hanging up in the home dressing room was his. The United suit, freshly pressed, and the shoes, carefully polished, were his. The name on the official FA Youth Cup team-sheet was his.
Kai Rooney has been offered a new Manchester United contract that could see him earn £50,000 a year
Famous parents Colleen and Wayne watch on as he played at Old Trafford last month – also in front of first team manager Michael Carrick
Kai will be hoping to follow in dad Wayne’s footsteps and become a legend of the Red Devils
For the very first time it was he who stepped out at the Theatre of Dreams as a United player. And it was the turn of dad Wayne and mum Coleen to play cheerleaders from the sidelines.
Through the PA system came the announcement from Alan Keegan, the voice of Old Trafford, who read out the Rooney name countless times in recent years, that the 16-year-old was coming on to replace defender Godwill Kukonki in extra time. It triggered one of the biggest cheers of the night.
The decision by Darren Fletcher, one of Wayne Rooney’s old team-mates, triggered a wave of ‘Rooney, Rooney’ chants from the 2,000-strong crowd in attendance.
The teenager, as he always does, took it all in his stride as mum and dad, sat alongside first-team interim head coach Michael Carrick, snapped a photo or two to mark the proud moment.
‘My message of support is that I’m coming along to watch and I’m excited,’ Carrick said of his decision to attend.
‘I was lucky enough to play and win the FA Youth Cup when I was young at West Ham.
‘It’s such an important competition, especially for this club. Young players, Old Trafford under the floodlights, feeling what it means, a bit of expectation.
‘It’s a fantastic opportunity for the young boys to go and take the next step. We’re all fully behind them, it’ll be a tough game, but we’re looking forward to it.’
It is understood the Rooney family have not yet agreed to the offer on the table, but a scholarship that turns into a professional deal would see the left-footed forward earn £50,000 a year with an annual signing-on fee.
