Thorsten Stuckmann: 'Wayne Rooney apologised after winning penalty'

Preston North End goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann has claimed that Manchester United's Wayne Rooney apologised to him at the end of Monday's FA Cup tie due to the way he fell to ground to win a penalty.

The England and United skipper went down inside the area before brushing himself down to tuck away the spot kick to secure a 3-1 win for his side at Deepdale.

However, Rooney came under fire from some quarters for what many believe was a dive, with replays showing that there was no contact made from Stuckmann.

Speaking to The Sun, the North End keeper said: "After the game Rooney told me - 'Sorry, it was my chance to get a penalty. I had to use that."

Asked if he felt it was a pen, the 33-year-old added: "I say it clear - that was no penalty. I also believe that if the situation had happened the other way around, one of our strikers against the United keeper, the ref wouldn't have given the penalty. I have no doubt about that."

The Red Devils' reward for seeing off Preston is a meeting with Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the competition.