Wayne Rooney believes Manchester City could be relegated following their financial case, but the former Manchester United striker remains firmly against receiving a Premier League medal for finishing second.
Rooney was part of United’s squad that finished runners-up to City in the 2011/12 Premier League season. While former teammates Rio Ferdinand and David de Gea suggested on social media that United could receive retrospective titles, Rooney said he would not want one.
“I wouldn’t want this one just sat there… 15 years later or whatever it was you get a medal because City cheated,” Rooney said.
Rooney wants severe punishment for Manchester City
Rooney explained that accepting a medal for finishing second would not feel right, regardless of what happens to City’s honours.
“The question is, would I want to receive that medal for finishing second? No,” he added. “I just wouldn’t feel comfortable for accepting a Premier League medal for finishing second.”
However, Rooney believes relegation could be among the consequences City face.
“I do think we’re going to see City getting relegated,” he said. “However that happens I don’t know but I think we’re going to see them get relegated.”
The former United captain went further, arguing that simply sending City into the Championship could allow them to return to the Premier League quickly.
“I’d put them in the lowest league they can go in and then put restrictions on them in terms of how much money they can spend for the next three or four seasons,” Rooney said on the Stick to United Podcast.
He suggested that a points deduction combined with spending restrictions could make any punishment more difficult to overcome.
Rooney does not want Manchester United rewarded for finishing second, but believes City should face a strict sporting punishment if sanctions are imposed.
