Rooney gives up on penalties and hands duties to Van Persie

OVER TO YOU ROB ... Wayne Rooney has missed almost one-third of his efforts

WAYNE ROONEY has quit taking penalties — insisting: “They weren’t good enough.”

The striker has missed NINE times from 28 attempts for Manchester United.

Roo, who decided to stand down after failing from the spot in the FA Cup win over West Ham, said: “To be honest, it was my choice.

“I went in to speak with the manager and said, ‘I spoke with Robin van Persie and said he can take them’.”

Rooney’s fluffed effort in last month’s 1-0 FA Cup third-round replay win over the Hammers was the final straw.

That was the second time he had missed the target completely this season after doing the same against Arsenal at home in November.

Rooney, 27, added: “At a club like this, to miss two penalties the way I have and not hit the target was not good enough.”

Amazingly, seven of Rooney’s nine misses have come in front of his own fans at Old Trafford.

After his blunder against West Ham, former United captain Roy Keane predicted the England star would not take another spot-kick.

Keane said: “I think that will be the last penalty Rooney takes for United. Van Persie, I’m sure, will be delighted to take over that role.”

Dutch striker Van Persie used to take penalties for Arsenal and has 22 goals for United this season.