Wayne Rooney apologised for the “dive” that earned him a penalty in Manchester United’s FA Cup victory at Preston North End, according to the League One club’s goalkeeper.

Rooney was awarded the spot-kick, from which he sealed United’s 3-1 victory, after leaping over the legs of Preston’s outrushing goalkeeper, Thorsten Stuckmann, and then falling to the turf. Replays showed there was no contact.

“After the game Rooney told me: ‘Sorry, it was my chance to get a penalty. I had to use that,’” Stuckmann was quoted by the Sun.

Preston’s manager, Simon Grayson, and the England manager, Roy Hodgson, absolved Rooney of diving, saying the striker had to take evasive action as the goalkeeper hurtled towards him. Stuckmann is adamant the penalty should not have been awarded.

“I say it clear: ‘That was no penalty,’” he said. “I also believe that, if the situation had happened the other way around, one of our strikers against the United keeper, the ref wouldn’t have given the penalty. I have no doubt about that.”