On 9/4, during "The Overlap" podcast, Shay Given recounted a penalty shootout against Wayne Rooney in a Manchester United - Newcastle match at Old Trafford in the Premier League. According to the 49-year-old former goalkeeper, Rooney had previously shot his three penalties to the right, leading Given to predict the Manchester United star would change his mind this time.

"I shared my prediction with coach Bobby Robson, but he said something like, 'No, I still want you to dive to the right'," Given recalled. "Then Rooney stepped up and, of course, shot to the left, while I dove to the right."

Given playing for Newcastle in the early 2000s. Photo: Popperfoto

Following the broadcast, Given quickly found himself in an awkward situation, as viewers discovered the story was completely false. The primary inaccuracy was that Robson departed Newcastle on 30/8/2004, one day before Rooney joined Manchester United. Newcastle was also Robson's final club.

Furthermore, Given never faced Rooney from the penalty spot while playing for Newcastle. He only had that opportunity when he was with Aston Villa in 2011.

"That's a great story, except coach Robson left Newcastle before Rooney even debuted for Manchester United", one viewer sarcastically commented on social media platform X. Many other viewers also rejected the story, some even accusing Given of fabrication.

Given was once considered one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League and Newcastle history. He played 462 matches for the St James' Park club from 1997 to 2009, in addition to 134 appearances for the Republic of Ireland national team.

Rooney (left) and Given co-managed Derby County in 2020. Photo: Derby County

Rooney played 559 matches for Manchester United from 2004 to 2017, becoming the club's all-time leading scorer with 253 goals. The former forward also won five Premier League titles, one Champions League, and one Europa League with "the Red Devils."

After retiring, both Rooney and Given pursued coaching careers. In 2020, they even collaborated at Championship club Derby County, as part of an interim coaching team alongside Liam Rosenior and Justin Walker. Rooney was later appointed head coach but lasted only one season.

Thanh Quy (according to The Overlap)