Man Utd's big secret out: Rooney's penalty method - Emirates 24/7

In a candid chat with Manchester United fans in the latest edition of United Review, the official matchday programme of Manchester United, star striker Wayne Rooney offered an insight in to how he takes penalties.

Rooney has had mixed results with penalties taken in the season so far – having missed more than his fair share, but the scoring some crucial ones, not least against Chelsea.

Answering a fan's question on what is the main thing he thought about just before taking a penalty, Rooney said, "You just try to stay calm. I always know where I'm going to put the ball - I make my mind up the day before the game.

"I watch videos of the goalkeeper, have a chat with our goalkeeping coach and then decide. When you're stood there you just try to avoid eye contact with the goalkeeper and wait for the referee's whistle."

Taking another question on what's been his best goal this season, the striker said, "I'd probably say my header against Man City in the Cup. It was a great cross from Antonio [Valencia] and, although I could see Nani coming towards the ball at the same time, my sole focus was on winning the header - and thankfully it went in."

Aside from football, Rooney picked boxing as the most likely event he would take part in in the Olympics.

Meanwhile Nani, who made his comeback against Ajax, after recovering from an ankle injury sustained against Arsenal and set up the opening goal for Ashley Young in the second half, was quoted in the club magazine as saying, "The Europa League is an important competition. It is the same as the Champions League to me - we want to win every competition we enter.

"Now we are in it, we only want to think about winning it. And the club have never won the trophy so now we will try to do this.

"We are strong and we have to fight in every game to continue to give our supporters what they want - trophies. That is what we want as well."
 

20 Feb, 2012