Manchester United Striker Wayne Rooney Says Red Card Against West Ham United was 'Right Decision'

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says he has no complaints over the red card he received during his side's 2-1 victory over West Ham United.

The England international's tackle on Stewart Downing just before the hour mark saw the referee Lee Mason issue a marching order for Rooney. The red card will see the 28-year-old miss United's next three matches, which includes crucial clashes against Everton and Chelsea.

Rooney admitted that he was trying to break the counter attack and his misjudged tackle resulted in a straight red. The United skipper revealed that he apologised to his teammates and has expressed his joy after Louis van Gaal's side sealed three points against the Hammers.

"It was probably the right decision. I saw the West Ham player making a counter-attack and I tried to break up the play, but I just misjudged it," Rooney told United's official website.

"I didn't absolutely volley the lad. I tried to trip him up and, to be fair to him, he got further away from me and that's why my leg is straighter than it should have been. As he pushed the ball away, my leg straightened out and that is obviously why the referee deemed it as a red card."

"Of course I did [apologise to my teammates]. I think everyone knew [I was in the wrong]. It's always tough against 11 men when you are a man down, especially when they are throwing a lot of balls into the box as West Ham were doing, so I am grateful that we held out."

"That [missing three games] is the most disappointing thing. It is hard to take and I am obviously gutted."

"It helps that the England games are coming up and the training here is really good. It's about getting my fitness up, so I just have to make sure I train well and are ready for when I come back," the United skipper concluded.

Van Gaal is likely to field Juan Mata in the No 10 role till Rooney is eligible to get back into the squad.