No doubt for Wayne Rooney it has been a difficult 12 months. After picking up an ankle injury against Bayern Munich, this time last year, he has had an abysmal World Cup, a contract dispute at Manchester United and what many have described as a poor season by his standards.

That all changed on Saturday though as he hit three of the most important goals in Manchester United’s season as they dampened any resurgent title challenge from Chelsea or Arsenal.

But where there’s Rooney, there is always a row. And this one came as the former Everton star swore into the live TV cameras at the game.

He apologised after, but in truth I find that more offensive than his swearing.

Admittedly, I didn’t watch the match on Sky TV as I was travelling to a game at the time, but from what I can make out he used the F word - and I heard that plenty of times on Saturday afternoon.

Did any of the players at the match I attended apologise for the language they used? No. And even if they did, I doubt they wouldn’t have meant it.

And I’m not condoning swearing at football, it shouldn’t be there, but neither should empty apologies.

Wayne’s said after the game he wanted "to apologise for any offence that may have been caused” by his goal celebration. Especially to "parents or children".

And putting aside that you dont have to be a parent, or child, to be offended by swearing, lets not forget this the same Wayne Rooney, who for countless seasons has thrown expletives at referees every time a decision hasn’t gone his way. The same Wayne Rooney who caused a storm prior to the World Cup in South Africa by saying “f**k you” to a local referee in a friendly against Platinum All-Stars.

It is also the same Wayne Rooney, who after the Algeria game in the 2010 World Cup went over to the TV cameras and "nice to see your own fans booing you".

And what did he say when that got him into trouble with the Football Association? “For my part I apologise for any offence caused by my actions.”

It sounds like an echo doesn’t it? And that’s because Rooney’s words are bouncing off the walls of his hollow apology.

And I know why he saying he’s sorry. He was probably ordered to by the officials at Manchester United in the hope of avoiding a three-match ban, but it insults the intelligence of the supporters he swore at in the first place.

We know he doesn’t mean it and maybe it’s just me, but I find that more offensive.

I'd like him for once just to accept the consequences of his actions and live without "I'm sorry".

The moment Wayne Rooney criticised England fans at the World Cup for booing the team.

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