WAYNE ROONEY said sorry to Alex Ferguson after diving to try to win a penalty.

The Manchester United striker fell when Villarreals Fabricio Fuentes went to challenge him.

Old Trafford boss Fergie, whose side booked a place in the last 16 of the Champions League, insisted: It is uncharacteristic of Wayne.

ON HIS KNEES ... Rooney goes over after a challenge by Fuentes - but admitted he dived

He thought he was going to be tackled and made the most of thought he was going to be tackled and made the most of it. But he has seen it again and apologised to me.

You dont usually see it from him. Maybe he had been watching Robert Pires too much.

At least he said sorry. You would not hear Pires saying that, *lo**y hell!

Rooney, who escaped a booking for simulation, added: I thought I was going to get kicked and tried to ride the challenge.

Rooney also apologised to Gonzalo Rodriguez for diving in a bid to win a free-kick on the edge of the area in the first half.

This point was enough for United to qualify from Group E with one game to spare.

But Fergie was fuming after Cristiano Ronaldo left the pitch with stud marks on his knee after a foul by Joan Capdevila, who was red-carded.

Ferguson said: There is systematic fouling of Ronaldo. It is a tactic.

One player fouls him, then another player and then someone else.

Eventually the ref thinks he is diving all the time.