Wayne Rooney I wouldn’t want a Premier League winners medal from 2012 if Manchester City they were stripped of the title, insisting Manchester United they didn’t deserve to finish above their city rivals.
United thought they had wrapped up the crown 14 years ago after a 1-0 win at Sunderland on the final day. City had to beat QPR to catch up with them, but were beaten 2-1 at the Estadio de la Llum. United’s players were ready to celebrate only goals from Edin Dzeko and, memorably, Sergio Aguero to cause pandemonium at the Etihad.
The subsequent claim that the City has breached financial rules 114 has resulted in them losing all titles accumulated during the affected period, including the 2012 title.
It could mean another Premier League trophy for United and Rooney’s former team-mates Rio Ferdinand and David De Gea have suggested it is only right that they increase their personal medal tally.
Rooney – United didn’t deserve to win the league
But Rooney claims City players should not be punished for alleged indiscretions at board level.
talking Stick to Unitedsaid: “I’ve heard that Rio has come out saying about getting another Premier League medal… I wouldn’t really feel comfortable accepting another Premier League medal, to be honest.
“I don’t think we deserve it, we didn’t do enough that season to win the league. I think we had a six or seven point lead with four or five games to go and we threw it away.
“I’ve seen everything that’s come out over the last few days and listening to people and I put myself in the shoes of a Man City player… they’re players, they’re doing everything they can to try and win the Premier League title and in their minds they’ve done it, these players don’t understand what’s going on above them, if that happened to me… I’d be absolutely devastated.
“It can happen, they might get (medals), but I wouldn’t want (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 my five titles – Rooney
The Premier League has not yet confirmed that City have been found guilty – the story was told by The Athletic last Friday – and there is no clarity on the sanctions the club could face.
Rooney added: “I see his team-mates saying ‘I want a medal’, I’m happy with the five I’ve won. I wouldn’t want this one. Should it be stripped because of what the owners have done? Maybe, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable accepting it.”
