Rooney Admits To 'Bad Tackle' On Jordon Mutch

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has admitted he was at fault when he kicked out at Jordon Mutch during Sunday's 2-2 draw against Cardiff.

Referee Neil Swarbrick opted to book the 28-year-old rather than show him a red card for the first-half incident.

"Just watched game back. I agree mine was bad tackle and ref dealt with it," Rooney tweeted.

Manager David Moyes added: "There was a bit of a tussle but I don't think it deserved any more than a yellow card."

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay agreed with the booking, but stated "certain referees" might have sent Rooney off.

"Overall, Neil Swarbrick did well and I thought he called the big decisions well today," the Scot said.

Former Newcastle and England forward Alan Shearer believes if the official had another chance to look at the incident, the decision would be a different one.

"The referee dealt with the tackle, but if he had seen Rooney kicking him then it would have been red," Shearer said on Match of the Day 2.

Rooney became the centre of controversy in the eighth minute after lashing out when he became frustrated trying to dribble free of Mutch.

Despite the protestations of the Cardiff players, Swarbrick declined to dismiss Rooney. This decision was to anger the Welsh side even more soon after as the striker put his team in front with a deflected strike.

Following an equaliser from ex-United forward Fraizer Campbell, Patrice Evra's header from Rooney's corner looked to have given the champions a valuable away victory.

However, they were denied by substitute Kim Bo-Kyung, who nodded home a Peter Whittingham free-kick in the 90th minute.

The South Korea international's late intervention saw United finish the weekend in sixth place in the Premier League table, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.