Manchester United boss says Wayne Rooney was brave to take Champions League penalty
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says that striker Wayne Rooney showed a great deal of bravery as he stepped up to take the decisive penalty against Scottish Premier League champions Rangers
in a UEFA Champions League group stage match at Ibrox on Wednesday 24 November.
The spot-kick was awarded in the dying minutes of the game when Rangers attacker Steven Naismith was judged by the match referee to have connected with defender Fabio da Silva's face with a high boot.
Rooney, who was making his first start for the Red Devils since September after recovering from an ankle injury, then stepped up to smash the penalty beyond Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor and confirm
United's place in the last 16 of the competition.
Ferguson was delighted to confirm his side's progress, and praised Rooney for his key contribution after he walked on to the pitch to a hostile reception from the fans and missed a few golden opportunities
earlier in the game.
He told ITV Sport: “It took (Rooney) a lot of courage to take the penalty kick. He hasn’t had an easy night, he’s missed a couple of chances but that’s what we expect, that’s his game at the moment. We’re
pleased for him.”
The 25-year-old England international Rooney has been under intense focus by the media following his announcement that he wanted to leave United in October, only to sign a new five-year deal with the club
just two days later.
United will look to confirm their place as group winners when they welcome Spanish outfit Valencia to Old Trafford on 7 December. Valencia are three points behind Ferguson's side, so a draw will be enough
to see them avoid the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the next round.
Ferguson added: “We deserved to win, no doubt about it. We want to go and win the group and obviously we have Valencia at home and we can make one or two changes, depending on who we’ve got in the next
game. We can look forward to that.”
Tags: