Across Manchester, the long-running financial case surrounding City has prompted a stark verdict from one of United’s most recognisable former players. Wayne Rooney believes relegation should follow if Manchester City are found guilty on every charge linked to alleged Premier League financial-rule breaches between 2009 and 2018.
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Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, Rooney said the strongest available sporting punishment would be justified for United’s city rivals.
“I think we will see Manchester City relegated,” the former England forward said. “I would give them the biggest sanction possible: put them in the lowest division they can be placed in, then restrict how much they are able to spend for the next three or four seasons.”
Rooney also suggested a continuing points penalty could make it difficult for City to retain their squad. He proposed an example in which the club lose 20 points in each of three successive campaigns, arguing that players would be unlikely to want to remain under those conditions.
The former United striker, however, drew a distinction between stripping City of honours and retrospectively handing those trophies to the runners-up. Rooney said he would not feel comfortable receiving another Premier League winners’ medal merely because United had finished second.
“Take the titles away from them, yes,” he said. “But I would not want to be given that medal.”
One title that could be affected in such a scenario is the 2011-12 Premier League. City won that campaign on goal difference after finishing level on points with Manchester United, sealing the championship on an extraordinary final day in the city.
