Rooney Reveals Penalty Chat

Wayne Rooney has revealed it was his decision – not Sir Alex Ferguson’s – to stop taking Manchester United’s penalties.

The striker told MUTV he met with the Reds boss following his FA Cup third round replay miss against West Ham to inform the manager he wished to pass spot-kick duties to Robin van Persie.

Rooney, who’s missed nine of the 28 penalties he’s taken in a United shirt since his arrival from Everton in 2004, acknowledged his recent record wasn’t good enough. Seven of those misses have come since the start of 2010, including two – against West Ham and Arsenal – this season.

“To be honest, it was my choice,” Rooney revealed when asked if he was disappointed to have been relieved of penalty duties.

“It wasn't good enough. I went in to speak with the manager and said I'd spoken with Robin [van Persie] and told him he could take them.

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

Following the England striker’s conversation with Sir Alex, United were subsequently awarded a penalty against Fulham in the FA Cup fourth round.

But with Robin van Persie on the bench, responsibility fell to veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs to dispatch the ball from 12 yards. He made no mistake, slotting home past Mark Schwarzer to give United an early lead.

Rooney's admission suggests it's likely he won't take the Reds' next spot-kick, although Sir Alex remains confident the striker will, at some point, return to penalty-taking duties.