Jones subbed in for Rooney on penalties

In a revealing anecdote, Wayne Rooney shared insights into Louis van Gaal's unique approach to penalty taking during his time at Manchester United. Rooney explained that under Van Gaal's rule, if a forward missed a penalty, they would drop significantly in the order of penalty takers. This meant that for the opening match of the Premier League season, Rooney found himself relegated to the eighth position in the queue, with defender Phil Jones stepping up as the designated penalty taker. Rooney humorously recounted the situation, noting that both he and fellow striker Robin van Persie were left in a surprising position as spectators to Jones' penalty duties. This light-hearted moment highlights the competitive nature of the team and the pressure placed on forwards regarding penalty responsibilities. Reflecting on his illustrious career, Rooney recalled his first Premier League goal, scored just days before his 17th birthday, which made him the youngest goalscorer in the league at that time. Although this record has since been surpassed, it marked the beginning of a remarkable journey for Rooney, who joined Manchester United in 2004. Over his thirteen years at Old Trafford, Rooney achieved significant success, winning multiple trophies under various managers, including Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho. He became the club's all-time leading scorer, netting 253 goals in 559 appearances, solidifying his legacy as one of the Premier League's greatest players.