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Cape Town - Manchester United defender Chris Smalling admitted that he did not know if his shot had crossed the line against Hull.
After 15 minutes, Rooney's corner was headed back across goal by two defenders, forcing goalkeeper Allan McGregor into an unconvincing attempt to clear the ball which served only to push it out to Smalling.
The defender's shot was struck well enough and although it appeared that McGregor might have kept it out, rather than help if over the line, referee Anthony Taylor used goalline technology to confirm the goal.
The defender confessed that he didn't know if the referee would award the goal at first.
"I didn't think it was over the line initially," Smalling admitted to manutd.com.
"Thankfully the goalline technology gave it. I think [if] it’s a case of whether it’s over or not, the [technology] takes away that doubt."
The Reds' third win in a row came from a confident display that pleased the team and manager Louis van Gaal alike in the wake of a battling performance at Arsenal one week ago.
"The manager said it was our best game of the season and I think it was," said Smalling.
"It was a complete performance. I think he said of the Arsenal result that we ground that out without particularly playing well, but this time we did. He’s said he wants six points and we want to deliver that on Tuesday against Stoke."
The scrappy goal against Hull was his first since December 26 last season, which also came against Hull City.
