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Preston North End 'keeper Thorsten Stuckmann says Wayne Rooney apologized for dive

Carl Recine / Reuters

It was a dive. Even Wayne Rooney knows it.

Manchester United's third goal in their 3-1 win versus Preston North End on Monday was marred by controversy as Rooney leapt over the legs of 'keeper Thorsten Stuckmann and fell to the turf to earn a penalty.

Replays indicated that no contact was made between the two players, and Rooney subsequently stepped up to convert the ensuing penalty and ensure that United advanced to the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.

Speaking after the match, Stuckmann claimed that Rooney addressed the incident and apologized for what he admitted was a dive that simply had to be taken.

"After the game Rooney told me: 'Sorry, it was my chance to get a penalty. I had to use that,' " Stuckmann told the Sun, according to the Guardian.

However, Stuckmann isn't so sure the outcome would have been the same had one of Preston's players gone to the ground under similar circumstances.

"I say it clear: 'That was no penalty,' " Stuckmann said. "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."

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