Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba pays ‘big respect’ to Wayne Rooney for letting him take penalty against Fenerbahce
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AHEAD of Manchester United's hotly-anticipated clash against Chelsea later today, Paul Pogba has paid "big respect" to Wayne Rooney over THAT penalty.
Rooney looked set to take a 31st-minute opening spot-kick after Juan Mata had been fouled by Simon Kjaer in the 4-1 Europa League triumph against Fenerbahce.
But Pogba took the ball off him and scored from the spot to spark a comfortable night's work against the Turkish outfit.
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Anthony Martial then scored a second from the spot after more discussions with usual designated penalty taker Rooney.
Had the United skipper scored both, he would have overtaken Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has scored 38 Euro goals for the Reds.
But the world's most expensive player Pogba has played down any notion of a rift between him and his skipper.
"I told Wayne I wanted to take it and he let me take it," said the former Juventus midfielder.
"I'm very happy to score that penalty. For a player like Wayne Rooney, the captain, to let me take the penalty is a big respect."
Pogba went on to complete a brace on the night, with Jesse Lingard smashing home another in the 4-1 victory.
Ex-United man Robin van Persie netted a late, and emotional, consolation for the visitors that saw Old Trafford give a standing ovation for their returning hero.
The penalty decision has continued to be questioned by fans, ex-players and pundits alike.
Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen believes Rooney was wrong not to step up and take the spot kicks.
“Twelve years ago this lad played against Fenerbahce, his first game ever, he ripped the ball off Ryan Giggs, he was telling senior players round here.
“If it’s going to be like that then I think the captain shouldn’t be the centre-forward. He is a goalscorer, he has to be the goalscorer.
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"If he scores those two penalties he's be ahead of Ruud van Nistlerooy in the all-time European, he'd be one behind Bobby Charlton in the all time.
"He has to score. When he was younger he was nasty, he wanted to score, he was desperate.
"He gets a penalty, he should be all over it, I can't believe he's handed it over."