Kai Rooney danced Michael Jackson moves in goal, leaving Coleen questioning his football future

Kai Rooney, the 16-year-old Manchester United Under-18s forward, once gave his mother Coleen serious pause about his footballing future — not through poor form, but by channelling Michael Jackson from between the goalposts during a youth match.

Coleen recalled the moment during a radio interview, explaining that Kai had been part of an all-boys hip-hop dance group as a child and faced a genuine crossroads between dancing and football when the two commitments clashed on the same day. She chose football. Then came the glove.

“One time, he was in goal, I just looked around and he had one glove on doing the Michael Jackson dance in goal,” Coleen said. “I was thinking, ‘Why? Is he wasting my time?’ However, the coach was like, ‘As long as he enjoys his time here, just keep bringing him. It’s fine.’ And look how it’s turned out now.”

Kai, the eldest of Coleen and Wayne’s four sons, re-joined United’s academy at 11 and recently signed a first-year scholarship contract with the club, allowing him to continue his education while pursuing a professional career. The next landmark would be a full professional deal when he turns 17.

His father, United’s all-time leading scorer and a Champions League winner, says the ambition is entirely Kai’s own. “We’ve never pushed him to go into football, it’s what he wants to do,” Wayne said. “I grew up in a council estate in Liverpool with that desire and hunger to become a footballer. He’s grown up in a different area and a different time, a bit more privileged with what we can give him. But the fact he’s got that hunger and desire to go and play football, I’m so proud. And he’s done well, he’s got a long-term contract with the club.”

Kai’s progress last season was interrupted by an injury that ruled him out of United’s FA Youth Cup final, which the club lost to Manchester City. He will be looking to put that setback behind him as he pushes for greater involvement with the Under-18s and, eventually, a shot at the first team.