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Wayne and Coleen Rooney beamed with pride as they watched their eldest son Kai achieve a landmark moment last week. The 16-year-old made his Old Trafford bow for Manchester United U18s in a 2-1 victory against Derby County in the FA Youth Cup.

It's been over 20 years since Wayne first pulled on a United shirt in 2004, ultimately becoming the club's record goalscorer with 253 goals across 559 appearances. When he hung up his boots, the now 40-year-old also held the distinction of being England's all-time top scorer. With his father's legacy looming large, Kai's footballing journey naturally invites comparisons. Yet Wayne and Coleen have always been mindful of the intense spotlight their children would face, deliberately avoiding any pressure for them to choose football. This outlook explains why Kai was allowed to join Manchester City aged seven after he confessed he wasn't enjoying his time at United.

Kai left City when his father relocated across the Atlantic with DC United, before eventually returning to United in 2020. However, his Old Trafford appearance presented a rare chance for Wayne to watch his son in action.

"Kai told Wayne to stop coming to football games when he played grassroots tournaments and stuff, because he used to get swarmed, and he couldn't even watch the game," Coleen revealed on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here in 2024. "How do you say to all of these kids, 'Go away, I'm watching my son?'

"Adults, it's different, you could speak to them, so he just said, 'Oh, dad, there's no point you coming because you don't even watch me play anyway.' Which is sad, but it can't be helped."

Kai made his debut for United's U18s aged just 15 earlier this season. He featured as a substitute in last week's FA Youth Cup clash, entering the pitch during extra time as Darren Fletcher's young side secured a 2-1 victory.

Wayne and Coleen were spotted capturing the moment as their son stepped onto the hallowed turf. Having shared countless moments alongside his dad, Kai is now carving out his own path at the Theatre of Dreams. After the Derby match, Wayne shared a throwback image of himself with a young Kai on social media. His message read: "Then and now. Proud of you, Kai."

His parents sat beside interim first team manager Michael Carrick, whose own son is progressing through United's academy ranks. Wayne has recently been outspoken regarding the importance of youth development at the club, having disliked former United boss Ruben Amorim's hands-off approach.

Kai has spent his life in the public eye and became a Puma ambassador aged 12. Coleen has previously opened up about their parenting approach when raising aspiring footballers and discussed how he handles comparisons to his father.

In September 2024, Coleen 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."

She continued: "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."