Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson praised Wayne Rooney after the striker recovered from a mistake to sink Hull.

The England striker put United ahead in a compelling Barclays Premier League encounter at the KC Stadium but then committed the mistake that led to Craig Fagan's penalty equaliser.

Rooney turned away in despair as Fagan struck but then lifted himself to force an Andy Dawson own goal and set up Dimitar Berbatov to complete a 3-1 win.

Ferguson told Sky Sports 1: "He's been a threat all day to them, the penetration behind their back line was very good.

"He made a mistake in giving the ball away for the goal, that was his one bad moment in the game, but I thought he was exceptionally good today.

"He's got that (desire), it's in-born in him, he'll never lose that.

"He's a natural winner, he's always had that great attitude and determination to do well and he would be even more sick than anyone when he made a mistake.

"He rectified it and everything's fine."