Laser shone into Wayne Rooney’s face before Middlesbrough penalty miss (Pics)

Wayne Rooney’s form has been one of the most hotly-contested issues of the early weeks of the season.

But his penalty miss against Middlesbrough, as Manchester United crashed out of the Capital One Cup, has ensured that the debate will continue to rumble on.

But it’s now emerged that the England captain may have been distracted as he prepared to take the spot kick.

A green laser can be seen being shone into Rooney’s face immediately before he took his penalty – in front of 10,000 travelling Middlesbrough supporters.

Was Wayne Rooney distracted by a laser pen as he missed his penalty for Man Utd? https://t.co/fOZgCaxTTr? pic.twitter.com/hwu2DoYwMK

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 29, 2015

Is a laser pen behind Rooney's penalty miss in Manchester United's defeat to Middlesbrough? https://t.co/6GlvXxhQog pic.twitter.com/CgXrOQ6TtC

— Indy Football (@IndyFootball) October 29, 2015