Kai Rooney banned

Wayne Rooney’s presence in the footballing world has undergone a dramatic transformation in 2026.

After a turbulent stint in management, the Manchester United legend has firmly established himself as a media powerhouse.

He is currently the star of his own twice-weekly BBC production, “The Wayne Rooney Show,” where he offers unfiltered tactical analysis and nostalgic stories from his playing days.

Furthermore, fans are getting an unprecedented look into his private life through a new 10-part Disney+ documentary series, provisionally titled “The Rooneys,” which follows Wayne as he balances his high-profile broadcasting career with the “daily school run” for his four sons.

Despite his massive media profile, Rooney’s deepest connection to the game remains his eldest son, Kai.

Now 16, Kai is rapidly carving out his own legacy within the Manchester United academy, mirroring his father’s prolific goal-scoring instincts.

The teenager recently made the jump to the Under-18 squad, netting a clinical volley against Middlesbrough to signal his arrival.

Wayne has famously adopted a “stand-off approach” to Kai’s career, preferring to let United’s world-class coaches handle his development while he focuses on his son’s mental resilience.

However, even the son of a club legend is not exempt from the rigorous discipline of the Carrington academy.

Manchester United has reaffirmed its strict educational philosophy by enforcing a “black boots only” policy that directly impacts Kai, who has been banned from wearing his own boots, according to the Daily Mail.

Despite being one of the academy’s most recognisable faces and having secured a lucrative personal sponsorship deal with Puma at just 12 years old, Kai is strictly prohibited from wearing branded or colourful footwear while representing the Under-16s and below.

Wayne Rooney has publicly voiced his support for this restriction, explaining on The Smith Brothers: Not A Podcast that it ensures equality among the ranks.

He noted that the rule prevents social divisions, as it protects players from backgrounds who might not be able to afford the latest high-end gear.

This “Carrington Code” dictates that young prospects must earn the right to wear flashy sponsors by reaching the professional level.

For Kai, the colourful Puma boots remain in the locker for now—a humbling reminder that at United, talent and humility must always outpace commercial status.