Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney has become the latest Manchester United legend to have his say on whether he believes he is now owed an additional Premier League medal after Man City's guilty verdict.
The Citizens were reportedly found guilty on 114 of 115 financial charges on Friday, which sparked theories over what a potential punishment may look like. City have reiterated their innocence and an appeal is expected before a final verdict.
That hasn't stopped United icons such as Rio Ferdinand and David De Gea from publicly claiming the 2011-12 Premier League title, which they lost to City on goal difference.
Wayne Rooney Doesn't Want 2012 Medal
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
The charges relate to a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018, and some have suggested any trophies won in that period should be stripped and handed to the runners-up retrospectively. But that shouldn't be the case, in Wayne Rooney's opinion.
Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, Rooney claimed he wouldn't accept a medal for the 2011/12 campaign if one was offered. "I wouldn’t really feel comfortable accepting another Premier League medal, if I’m being honest," he said.
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Rooney, a five-time Premier League champion, gave a balanced view that United didn't earn the trophy on the pitch, adding: "I don’t think we deserve it, we didn’t do enough that season to win the league. We threw it away.
Despite being extremely skeptical when it comes to City's famous final day win against QPR to seal the title, he is still adamant that the Red Devils don't deserve to now be crowned champions.
He continued: "It might happen, they might take them [medals] away, but I wouldn’t want it [a medal] because I don’t think as a team we deserved it that year because obviously we didn’t finish first. I’m happy with the five I’ve won."
Rooney Splits Opinion With Man City Take
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Fans on social media have been split by Rooney's take, with some agreeing it would be wrong to recognise second-placed teams as champions in retrospect. However, others are convinced it's the right thing to do.
One X user praised Rooney's 'integrity', saying: "Rooney scored that overhead kick against City in 2011 and he'd still hand the medal back. That's a strange amount of integrity for a footballer."
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"As a Liverpool fan I feel the same way, strip them of their titles but don’t pass them down to us," another said, proving even rival supporters feel the same.
Meanwhile, others were quick to disagree, with one saying: "Respect to Wazza, but deserving it was never the test, the table is. Strip City and second place is champion, comfortable or not."
Another sided with Ferdinand and De Gea, weighing in: "Love Wazza, but I have to side with Rio and De Gea on this one. If a club breaches financial rules for a decade, the runners-up who played fair deserve recognition. It’s not about replicating the final day feeling; it’s about sporting integrity."