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Kai Rooney gets Man Utd ban removed after dad Wayne made feelings crystal clear
Jun 27 2026 05:18 · By Fasika Zelealem/Senior Sports Reporter · 3 Reads
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Kai Rooney will be free to wear his sponsored Puma boots for Manchester United next season. The 16-year-old - son of United legend Wayne Rooney - was previously barred from wearing the boots for the U16s due to club policy.
However, Kai won't be featuring for that age group this coming season , having already turned 16 before the August 31 cutoff, meaning he will move up to an older age group where no such restriction applies.
The youngster signed the sponsorship deal with the sportswear brand back in 2022 at just 12 years old, but his father revealed the club had prohibited him from wearing his Puma boots at U16 level, where all players are required to wear identical footwear.
Speaking on The Smith Brothers: Not A Podcast , Wayne said: "He's obviously with Puma but when he plays for the Manchester United U16s, something which I really like is he can't wear his Puma boots.
"All the academy have to wear the same boots. They do it because there's people from areas where they can't afford certain boots so I think it's really good. But he's played for the U18s a few times and he can then wear his Puma boots. He's doing well to be fair to him."
Kai made six appearances for the U18s this season, having made his debut at that age group at just 15 in a 1-0 victory over Everton last August. Sadly, a season-ending injury in March ruled him out of United's FA Youth Cup final against Manchester City , a match his side went on to lose 2-1.
Being the son of United's all-time record scorer has meant Kai has long carried enormous pressure to follow in his father's footsteps. He certainly shares his dad's instinct as a forward, though he differs as a left-footed player.
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Kai is the eldest of Wayne and wife Coleen's four sons, who also include Klay, Kit and Cass. Embarking on the same career path as someone as decorated as his father - who netted an extraordinary 253 goals in 559 appearances for United - and at the very same club, brings with it no shortage of challenges.
