Wayne Rooney is more than happy to take United’s penalty kicks this season after scoring against Arsenal at the weekend. With Michael Carrick having missed in United’s defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor, Rooney resumed duties on Saturday, sending Manuel Almunia the wrong way in scoring United’s equaliser. It was Rooney’s fourth goal in as many Premier League matches this season. Rooney won the penalty after being fouled by the Arsenal ‘keeper.
“No-one really knew who was our penalty taker. Then we got one at Burnley but Michael Carrick unfortunately missed it so from then on I said I’d take them – and thankfully I scored,” said Rooney after the game.
“There was no doubt over the penalty. The ‘keeper’s come and took my legs from me and I had no option,” he added.
Rooney has now scored four and missed two of the penalties he has taken in a United shirt; this being the first of the six he has dispatched to the ‘keeper’s left. Assuming that Rooney has now taken up penalty taking duties for the season, it should add five to eight additional goals to this season’s tally.