Rooney passes penalty duty to Van Persie

LONDON (AFP) – Wayne Rooney admits he told Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson he wanted to stop taking penalties because he was fed up with missing from the spot.

Rooney smashed his last spot-kick well over the crossbar in an FA Cup tie against West Ham in January.

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney. REUTERS

That was the second time this season he had failed from the spot and it proved the last straw for the England star.

When United got another penalty against Fulham last weekend, it was Ryan Giggs who stepped up to take it and the Welsh veteran showed Rooney how to do it as he scored to put his side ahead.

But Rooney has revealed Robin van Persie, who did not start against Fulham, is now United’s number one taker after he decided to quit the role.

“To be honest it was my choice. It wasn’t good enough,” Rooney told MUTV.

“I went in to speak with the manager and said I’d spoken with Robin and told him he could take them.

“At a club like this, to miss two penalties like I did and not hit the target wasn’t good enough.”