Wayne Rooney believes Erling Haaland refused to take a penalty in Manchester City's FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace because it was "too much".
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Haaland has missed three penalties this seasonOmar Marmoush saw his spot-kick savedCity lost 1-0 to EaglesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
City lost 1-0 to Palace at Wembley as Oliver Glasner's side won their first-ever major trophy on Saturday. However, City had a huge chance to equalise after falling behind to Eberechi Eze's goal when they were awarded a penalty, but instead of Haaland stepping up, Marmoush was denied by Dean Henderson.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
BBC pundits Rooney and Alan Shearer believe the Norway international rejected the chance to take the spot-kick, having missed three penalties already this season. He has also scored four, but both ex-strikers were flabbergasted he did not grab the ball, with Rooney believing the Norway international proved that he does not have the same mentality as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
WHAT ROONEY AND SHEARER SAID
Rooney said: "Erling Haaland is a world-class forward, but when we are talking about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, there is no way they are giving that ball away. That is what separates them two players from Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe and these players. They are selfish and they want to score every game. When he misses chances I think you can see it gets to him and it does affect him. "Maybe the thought of taking a penalty at Wembley might have been too much for him. You never know, he is a human being."
Shearer added: "There is no way anyone is saying to me 'you're not taking a penalty today if we get a penalty'. Whether he has missed three in a season or whether he's been out injured, you're fit you're out on the pitch and you should be game for taking the penalty. I cannot believe he's turned around and said to someone else 'you take the penalty because I don't really fancy it'."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?
City face Bournemouth and Fulham in their final two games as they bid to confirm Champions League qualification.