Roy backs Rooney

ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson sprung to the defence of Wayne Rooney after he was accused of “conning” the referee into awarding him a penalty in Manchester United’s 3–1 win at Preston.

United set up a cracking FA Cup quarter–final tie against Arsenal thanks to goals from Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Rooney, who converted a late penalty.

Manchester United and England skipper Rooney went down in the box to win the spot-kick after Preston goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann rushed off his line to challenge him.

Replays showed there was no contact between the two but Hodgson – in the BBC studio at Deepdale – insisted his captain had every right to go to ground.

“I just think he was taking evasive action,” said Hodgson. “If you are a referee in the run of play without replays I don’t think any of us would have said it wasn’t a penalty. The goalkeeper has gone with both feet. Wayne has touched it past him.”

Former United full–back Phil Neville – also there for the BBC – agreed with the England boss.