Manchester United get Kai Rooney verdict after sensational solo goal goes viral

Latest Manchester United news as Wayne Rooney's son continues to catch the eye in the academy with a spectacular solo goal

Kai Rooney, the son of Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, is among the club’s academy prospects gaining attention for his performances on the pitch.

The youngster has been part of United’s youth set-up since 2020 and is steadily progressing through the ranks. Aged just 15, he currently represents the under-17s and recently scored a stunning solo goal against Real Sociedad, with footage emerging on social media over the weekend.

Dad Wayne remains United’s all-time leading goalscorer, netting 253 goals in over 500 appearances. He left the club to join Everton in 2017 and officially retired in 2021, following spells with DC United and Derby County.

In the clip shared online which has since gone viral, Kai can be seen making a run in behind the Sociedad defence down the right flank. A superb first touch allows him to break free of his marker before driving into the box, evading challenges, and finishing with a composed left-footed strike into the far corner.

The goal has sparked plenty of reaction from United supporters on social media, with many drawing comparisons to his father’s playing style.

"Plays exactly like his dad, with aggressiveness and power," one supporter wrote.

Another added: "It is crazy that Wazza been doing this at PL at the age of 17. Such an underrated legend! Hope we get to see Kai at the first team."

A third fan then said: "He’s better than [Rasmus] Hojlund already." Another said: "A left footed Rooney? Sign me up, I'm sold."

At just 15, Rooney is still some way off first-team football, but the early signs are certainly promising. United’s recent track record of promoting academy talent bodes well, with Kobbie Mainoo among the latest to make a significant breakthrough in recent seasons.

---

Here at the Manchester Evening News, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.

Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.

You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.

And finally, if you’d rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.