MANCHESTER, UK — Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has opened up on the tactical evolution of his son, Kai, revealing the “harsh” reason why the teenager has moved away from being a traditional striker at Carrington.
Kai Rooney, who recently turned 16, has long been tipped to follow in his father’s footsteps. However, despite a prolific record as a No. 9 in the lower age groups, the youngster has recently transitioned into a creative right-winger.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, England’s second all-time top scorer explained that the shift was born out of necessity in the modern game.
“The standard of English players has increased massively, but they don’t want to play as a natural number nine anymore,” Rooney admitted. “It’s a global problem. Tactically, the game has changed. Kai is left-footed, so he’s gone to the right, cutting in like we see with the world’s best.”
A New Path at Old Trafford The 16-year-old’s transition comes at a pivotal time. Having overcome a significant injury setback last season, Kai recently made his long-awaited debut at Old Trafford during the FA Youth Cup victory against Derby County.
Under the watchful eye of academy coaches and first-team interim manager Michael Carrick, Kai is now carving out his own identity. While his dad was the ultimate poacher and power-forward, Kai’s move to the wing aligns him with the “inverted winger” trend popularized by icons like Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka.
With United’s U18s chasing FA Youth Cup glory, Kai’s versatility could be his ticket to a professional contract, as the club continues to monitor the development of one of their most famous academy graduates.
Filepe Junior is a football writer tracking La Liga transfers, covering major signings, squad planning, and player movements across Spanish clubs.
