Rooney's children have never wanted for anything thanks to his remarkable playing career, but Kai must bear the weight of the Rooney name, which brings a level of expectation and pressure that is challenging in its own way.

"He has put himself in a good position," said Rooney of where his son is as he pursues a career as a professional. And Kai looks to be a chip off the old block, judging by his superb performance for the Under-18s this week.

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The youngster scored four goals against Burnley in a dominant 6-0 win, making headlines in the process, and it did not go unnoticed that he mimicked JJ Gabriel's celebration, a potential dig at the wantaway teen.

The 16-year-old has made a pleasing start to the campaign, recording a goal contribution in every league appearance he's made for the U18s, and playing for the Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League.

He also made his debut for the Under-21s against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League 2 last month, getting 12 minutes from the bench for that age group, which is the closest youth side to the first team.

This season is important for Rooney after signing his scholarship deal over the summer. He will turn 17 next week, the age when youngsters can sign professional terms, and coaches are pleased with his progress.

The small milestones Rooney is ticking off are important on the path to potentially making his first-team United debut, and it would be a huge moment if he were to ever take to the pitch at Old Trafford with the senior side.

The youngster got a taste of what that may feel like last season when he made his debut at Old Trafford for the U18s in the FA Youth Cup.

His father tried to avoid attention when he arrived at Old Trafford to watch his son, but a hood did not succeed in disguising his identity from a few excited supporters outside the ground, who stopped him for photographs as he arrived.

Rooney will naturally attract similar attention, but his father and mother have made a deliberate effort to protect him from any noise. They only wanted him to play football if he wished to.

His parents have done a good job of keeping him grounded. Rooney has taken time to pose for photos with young fans, and he used shin pads gifted to him by a supporter during an academy game last season.

The youngster first had a ball at his feet at four years old, and he was picked up by United's academy as a boy. He supports Everton, like his father, but he has admitted a "love" for United.

For a few years, Rooney has been living like a professional with a view to achieving his dream of reaching United's first team. That has meant extra training sessions outside of Carrington and getting his diet right: pasta, chicken, salmon, rice, and oatmeal with honey and protein powder in the morning of a game.

He has attended Manchester Grammar School. He previously described himself as "mainly a striker who scores goals", but coaches have switched him to the right wing.

It hasn't been all plain sailing for Rooney, though, as he's been forced to deal with some injuries on his journey so far. They have not been major issues, but they have been serious enough to disrupt his progress.

Speaking earlier this week, U18 manager Darren Fletcher said: "Obviously Kai getting four goals, he deserves it, he has obviously had a lot of injury problems, so to come back and do that was good.”

The young forward is surrounded by former United legends, who are the perfect sounding boards for advice. "Kai is determined to be a football player," his father admitted on The Real Rooneys docu-series.

"I try to give a little bit of advice when I can, really. I think what we are trying to do is help him be ready, whether that's for football or something else. He's at that point now in life where you think you know everything. You think you know more, and you're better than everyone.

"When people talk to me now, they still say the one thing they loved about me, more than anything, was my work rate. That's the biggest compliment you can get. This is just the start for Kai. He's the only one who can do it. It's got to come from inside of you."

United fans can get a glimpse of Rooney in the flesh when he plays in academy games at Leigh Sports Village, and he will feature again in the Youth Cup more prominently this season now he's a year older.

He is not a carbon copy of his father, as he plays on the wing, but he seems to possess goalscoring instincts. Nonetheless, United's coaches are patient and will temper expectations around his development.

The reality is that only a few players, or maybe just one, from an age group in United's academy may progress to make a senior debut for the club.

Rooney is doing all the right things, and it's going to be fascinating to watch him develop this season. His performance against Burnley, when he scored four goals, suggests the best is yet to come.