Wayne Rooney says he’d feel uneasy if Man City lose title

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney says he would feel uncomfortable accepting a Premier League winners’ medal if Man City were stripped of their title, while Rio Ferdinand argues he should receive a medal. City were found guilty of 114 of 115 charges by the Premier League last week, and United finished second behind City in the 2011/12 and 2017/18 seasons.

Rooney's view on a stripped title

Rooney believes the appropriate punishment would be relegation from the top flight. He told Stick To United, “I wouldn’t really feel comfortable accepting another Premier League medal, if I’m being honest.” He added that he is happy with the five medals he already possesses and would not want a sixth from a season United did not win.

The former United striker recalled the 2011‑12 campaign, when United held an eight‑point lead with six games to go. Costly defeats to City and Wigan, plus a 4‑4 draw with Everton, saw that lead evaporate and the title slip away.

Rooney also imagined himself in a City player’s shoes, saying he would be “absolutely devastated” if the medals were taken away, yet he would not want one because the team did not finish first.

Ferdinand and de Gea demand extra medals

Rio Ferdinand, a member of the 2011‑12 squad that missed out on the final day, has called for another Premier League medal to be added to his collection. He posted, “Another premier league medal to be added to the cabinet.”

Rooney rejects extra Premier League medal as United face City fallout

Goalkeeper David de Gea, also part of the 2012 runners‑up side, questioned on X whether he is owed two more medals, writing, “So… Let’s talk. How many Premier League titles have I won then?”

The Premier League’s verdict has opened a debate over how City’s dominant period from 2009‑2018 should be judged, with players, fans and managers campaigning for a rewriting of history.

City now face a range of sanctions, from huge fines to points deductions and even possible expulsion from the league, after being found guilty of the vast majority of the charges.

Rio Ferdinand urges Joleon Lescott to hand back medal as Man City faces stripping

The contrasting positions of Rooney and Ferdinand illustrate the lingering bitterness of that 2012 finale and the uncertainty over how the sport will address past misconduct.