In those days, former
Manchester United legends Dennis Irwin, Eric Cantona, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and
Cristiano Ronaldo were all terrific from the spot. They had very different
personalities but when it came to take a penalty, all four knew how to do it
properly. Every one of them missed obviously the odd penalty, but fans knew a
penalty in United’s favour meant an almost secure goal.
However, since the
Madeira-born star looked for new pastures at the end of the 2008/2009 season, Sir
Alex has found it increasingly difficult to find his man to take on penalty
duties. Rooney was supposed to emerge as the new regular penalty-taker, but the
United talisman has been inconsistent throughout the years to say the least,
raising doubts on who should be United’s first choice. Something which has been
acknowledged by the fierce Scotsman: "I think
Wayne has to accept he must have a better strike-rate at penalties."
Since wearing the famous red shirt, Rooney has converted 20 out 26
penalties in all competitions, accounting for 77%, albeit two of them found the net following a keeper’s
deflection. After failing to beat Arsenal’s keeper at Old Trafford a few weeks
ago, the man himself was quoted as saying: "Obviously
I was disappointed at the weekend, not only to miss but to miss the target.
Interestingly
enough, none of Rooney’s errors were damaging for United. In contrast, some turned
out to be vital, most notably the one scored at Ewood Park which sealed the
historic 18th domestic league. This could be a sign that Rooney is
able to keep his cool when it matters most and to some extent soften the impact
of the penalties wasted. As a matter of interest, the English star maintains
his 100% record in European competitions.
Robin van Persie should
be straightforward option, his shocking penalty at Southampton seemed to have
impact his confidence a tad, but he admirably bounced back by scoring the
winner at Anfield Road. He used to be Arsenal’s regular penalty-taker and many
would have predicted the same role for him at Manchester United. However,
Rooney still stands as first choice.
Ryan Giggs always
seems at ease when assuming this role. His composure and technique are a match
in heaven, but the evergreen Welshman only plays every now and them, which
makes it hard for him to be United’s regular penalty-taker, he recently
stated: “"I think Giggs is probably the best penalty-taker. I
can't ever remember him missing since he had one saved against Southampton in
the FA Cup in 1992. But he doesn't play every week. Maybe I'll bring him on
like in American Football games!”, as Sir Alex recently reflected.
On the other side
of the spectrum, both Michael Carrick and Luis Nani, a pair frequently
criticized in some quarters by their frailty, endured a torrid time following
their disappointing efforts in the 1-0 loss in Burnley in August 2009 and the
2-2 draw at Fulham’s Craven Cottage 12 months later. Since then, Carrick never
came to the spot and Nani just did it to fail again against Galatasaray in the
Champions League.
Penalties taken by Wayne
Rooney since playing for Manchester United
2012/13 (1/2)
- Braga-MU 1-3, scored
- MU-Arsenal 2-1, missed
2011/12 (10/12)
- MU-
Aston Villa 4-0, scored
- MU-Queens Park Rangers
2-0, scored
- MU-West Bromwich Albion
2-0, scored
- MU-Athletic
Club 2-3, scored
- Chelsea-MU 3-3, two
penalties scored
- MU-Bolton
3-0, missed
- Manchester City-MU 2-3,
scored after keeper’s deflection
- Otelul
Galati 0-2, two penalties scored
- MU-Chelsea
3-1, missed
- MU-Arsenal
8-2, scored
2010/11 (4/5)
- Blackburn-MU
1-1, scored
- West Ham United-MU 2-4,
scored
- MU-Arsenal
1-0, missed
- Glasgow
Rangers-MU 0-1, scored
- MU-West
Ham 1-0, scored
2009/10 (5/5)
- MU-Liverpool 2-1, scored
after keeper’s deflection
- MU-Wolverhapton
3-0, scored
- Portsmouth-MU
1-4, two penalties scored
- MU-Arsenal
2-1, scored
2007/08 (0/1)
- Aston Villa-MU
1-4, missed
2004/05 (0/1)
- MU-Crystal Palace 5-2, missed
Penalties taken by other Manchester United players since Cristiano Ronaldo departure
2012/13 (2/5)
2012/13 (2/5)
- Giggs: Chelsea-MU 5-4, scored
- Van Persie: Liverpool-MU 1-2, scored
- Nani: MU-Galatasaray 1-0, missed
- Chicharito: MU-Wigan 4-0, missed
- Van Persie: Southampton-MU 2-3, missed
2011/12 (4/4)
- Chicharito:
MU-Stoke City 2-0, scored
- Berbatov:
MU-Stoke City 2-0, scored
- Berbatov:
MU-Wigan Athletic 2-0, scored
- Macheda:
MU-Crystal Palace 1-2, scored
2010/11 (1/2)
- Giggs: MU-Liverpool 1-0,
scored
- Nani: Fulham-MU 2-2,
missed
2009/10 (1/2)
- Giggs: MU-Tottenham
Hotspur 3-1, two penalties scored
- Carrick: Burnley-MU 1-0,
missed
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