Kai Rooney denies Man Utd contract offer reports in February 2026

Kai Rooney has denied contract reports from Manchester United. This comes after news that he and other young players were offered deals.
By Newsroom | Football, Youth Academy |

The public statements made by Kai Rooney, son of football legend Wayne Rooney, regarding contract offers and teammate departures from Manchester United's youth academy, have drawn attention. These statements, often concise, offer a glimpse into the young player's engagements with the club and his peers.

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Early Career Engagements and Parental Support

Kai Rooney, following in his father's footsteps, has been part of the Manchester United youth system. His early career has seen him play for the club's Under-12s, Under-13s, and Under-18s teams. Reports indicate his performances have at times been reminiscent of his father's style, including scoring and assisting in matches.

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  • Wayne Rooney and his wife, Coleen, have attended some of Kai's matches, despite Kai's initial reservations about his father's presence.

  • Kai has spoken about his father's role in preparing him mentally for professional football.

  • An injury in September 2025 left Kai Rooney on crutches, with reports describing him as "devastated."

Contractual Developments and Public Responses

In early February 2026, reports emerged suggesting that Kai Rooney and Jacey Carrick, son of Manchester United's then-head coach Michael Carrick, were among several academy prospects offered new deals.

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  • The Sun initially reported these contract offers.

  • These offers reportedly involve a one-year scholarship that would convert to a three-year professional contract upon turning 17.

  • Kai Rooney has publicly responded to these reports.

  • One statement attributed to Kai stated: "don't believe," in response to contract claims. This brief message was issued shortly after the reports surfaced.

  • Another instance saw Kai Rooney issue a "four-word message" in relation to a contract "offer."

Peer Departures and Expressions of Connection

In addition to his own contractual situation, Kai Rooney has also made public statements related to teammates leaving the club.

Read More: Football Players Stretchered Off Due to Serious Injuries in 2024-2026 Matches

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  • Alfie Walker, a Manchester United academy player, confirmed his departure from the club in the summer, with reports indicating he would join rivals Leeds United.

  • Following Walker's announcement, Kai Rooney reportedly sent a message to him.

  • This message was also described as a "four-word message," though its specific content in relation to Walker's departure is not detailed in the provided summaries.

Expert Analysis and Observed Signals

The brevity and timing of Kai Rooney's public statements, particularly concerning contract offers, have been interpreted as significant.

  • A statement of "don't believe" serves as a direct, albeit minimal, refutation of reported information.

  • The use of concise messages, like the "four-word message," may indicate a controlled public persona or a deliberate approach to communication by the young player or his representatives.

Findings and Future Considerations

The available information points to Kai Rooney actively engaging with public discourse surrounding his football career, even at a young age.

  • Contractual Status: Reports of contract offers have been met with a public statement of disbelief from Kai Rooney, suggesting a need for clarification or correction of reported details.

  • Peer Relationships: Kai Rooney has demonstrated solidarity with departing teammates through his own public messages.

  • Public Communication: The consistent use of short, impactful statements indicates a particular style of communication being employed in public forums.

Further investigation into the specifics of Kai Rooney's contractual situation and his future within the Manchester United academy would require access to official club statements or direct communication from the player or his official representatives.

Primary Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did Kai Rooney say about Manchester United contract offers in February 2026?
Kai Rooney publicly stated 'don't believe' in response to reports about a contract offer from Manchester United. This was a short message issued around February 6, 2026.
Q: Who reported the contract offers for Kai Rooney and other Manchester United youth players?
Reports about contract offers for Kai Rooney and other academy players, like Jacey Carrick, first appeared in early February 2026. The Sun newspaper was one of the first to report this news.
Q: What kind of contract was reportedly offered to Kai Rooney by Manchester United?
The reported contract offers for Kai Rooney and other academy prospects were for a one-year scholarship. This would then change to a three-year professional contract when they turn 17.
Q: Did Kai Rooney make any other public statements in early 2026?
Yes, Kai Rooney also made a brief 'four-word message' after a teammate, Alfie Walker, confirmed he was leaving Manchester United. The exact words were not detailed.
Q: Has Kai Rooney had any other recent news regarding his football career?
Kai Rooney was reported to be 'devastated' after an injury in September 2025 that put him on crutches. He also returned to play and was noted for performances similar to his father, Wayne Rooney.