Wayne Rooney's lookalike son plays for Man Utd as millions watch amazing video

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13 hours ago

Wayne Rooney's lookalike son plays for Man Utd as millions watch amazing video
The Red Devils legend's eldest son is following in his footsteps as he makes his return to Old Trafford this weekend
Rooney junior is following in his famous father's footsteps
Wayne Rooney makes his return to Old Trafford this weekend as part of the England team for this year's Soccer Aid charity match.
The former Manchester United striker became a legend during his 13 years with the Red Devils, becoming the club's all-time record goalscorer and helping them to five Premier League titles, as well as triumphs in the Champions League and Europa League. In his 559 appearances for the English giants, he also lifted the FA Cup, two League Cups and four Community Shields.
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However, eight years after he left United to return to boyhood club Everton, and four years on from retiring from playing altogether, Rooney returns to the Theatre of Dreams in a new role to raise money for UNICEF.
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Sunday night's match will see the 39-year-old - who has held managerial positions with Derby County, D.C. United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle since retiring - adopt a player-coach role for the charity event.
It will see him lead the team from the sidelines as part of a coaching team also made up of Tyson Fury, David James and Vicky McClure, before taking to the pitch alongside the likes of Roman Kemp, Sir Mo Farah and Bella Ramsey.
Rooney previously managed at the 2020 edition of Soccer Aid, but said the opportunity to work alongside Fury in the role made this year's event even more exciting.
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"I'm a big boxing fan, so to do it alongside Tyson Fury is fantastic," said the Premier League legend as his role was confirmed. "We have this in common - we'll both be taking it incredibly seriously. It's great to lace up the old boots again - and see some old friends."
Rooney is set to earn a warm reception as he returns to Old Trafford and, while it has been eight years since he last played for United, his ties to the club remain strong, thanks to his eldest son Kai.
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The 15-year-old is currently tearing it up for the Red Devils' youth teams and has been tipped to follow in his father's footsteps at the club, such is his ruthlessness in front of goal.
Kai has impressed his coaches since joining United in 2020 and earlier this year hit headlines after scoring a brilliant solo goal for the club's U17s side in their clash with Real Sociedad.
The impressive move saw the teenager collect the ball down the right-hand side of the pitch after his centre-back found him with a knock over the top.
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After getting away from his marker with a neat first touch, he shrugged off another would-be tackler before slotting the ball under the goalkeeper and into the net.
While the United side ultimately lost 5-1, the strike - which has been viewed by over three million people on social media - caught the eye of fans who have tipped the young talent to emulate his legendary father at Old Trafford.
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Of course, Kai has receive a fair amount of guidance from his father, as he explained: "It's a lot about scoring goals because he was pretty good at scoring goals. So it's mainly tips about that.
"He is preparing me to get into professional football with the right mentality."
Revealing his favoured position on the pitch, the youngster added: "I could play on the wing as well, but I'm mainly a striker that scores goals."
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Rooney senior has also spoken of his pride at his son's budding career, telling The Athletic: "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."
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Rooney's wife Coleen also told the Mirror: 'We've never pressured them into even playing football. We've always just let them decide what they want to do. My eight-year-old was playing and doing really well but then decided he didn't want to, and that's OK.
'I think they sometimes get pressure off other people, you know. People approach them now and then if we're out, they do say, 'Are you are as good as your dad?'. Kai says 'I'm a different type of player.'
"You've got to let them know that you don't have to follow and to be your own person.'