Rooney rejects retrospective United title as City sanctions await

Wayne Rooney says Manchester United should not be awarded a Premier League title if Manchester City are stripped of one over alleged financial-rule breaches. United finished runners-up to City in 2011–12, and Rooney said he would not feel comfortable accepting a medal for that season.

Rooney told the Stick to United podcast that his former club had not done enough to win the league. He also said players should not be held responsible for conduct above them if they had no understanding of it.

The BBC reports that an independent commission found City guilty of the majority of 115 charges brought by the Premier League. The allegations mainly concern the period from 2009–10 to 2017–18, alongside alleged failures to co-operate with investigations.

Sanctions have yet to be announced, and City plan to appeal. Any removal or reassignment of titles remains hypothetical.

Rooney said he expects City to be relegated, while acknowledging he does not know what punishment will be imposed. He proposed sending the club to the lowest possible division and restricting its spending for several seasons.