Wayne Rooney has stated that Manchester United "didn't deserve" to win the 2011-12 Premier League title, and that even if Manchester City were to be stripped of that season's championship, he would feel "uncomfortable" accepting a winner's medal.

Rooney's former Manchester United teammates Rio Ferdinand and De Gea had previously called publicly for the 2011-12 Premier League winner's medal to be added to their collections. According to reports, the vast majority of the 115 charges brought against Manchester City by the Premier League have been upheld.

This landmark verdict has sparked considerable controversy: how should Manchester City's glorious period from 2009 to 2018 be evaluated? Players, fans, and managers have all called for that history to be rewritten.

However, Manchester United legend Rooney has insisted that even if Manchester City were stripped of the title, Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United side in the 2011-12 season should not have received the honor.

Speaking on the 'Stick to Football' podcast, Rooney said: "I heard Rio say he wants another Premier League medal... Honestly, if that were the case, I wouldn't feel comfortable accepting another Premier League medal.

"I don't think we deserved it. That season we didn't do enough to win the championship. I remember we were six or seven points ahead with four or five games to go, and we threw it away.

"I've seen everything that's happened in recent days and heard many people speak. I put myself in the shoes of a Manchester City player back then... they're just players, they'll do everything possible to win the Premier League. In their hearts, they won it fairly. If those players had no idea what was happening at the top levels of the club, if it had happened to me... I'd be absolutely devastated.

"It's possible this could happen, they could be stripped of their medals, but I don't want that medal because I don't believe we as a team deserved it. After all, that year we weren't in first place.

"So when I see my teammates say 'I want a medal', I feel quite content—I've won five Premier League titles. I don't want this one. If their title is stripped because of what the club's owners did? Yes, perhaps. But I wouldn't feel comfortable accepting this medal."

On the final day of the 2011-12 Premier League season, Rooney headed in during Manchester United's away match against Sunderland, contributing to the team's 1-0 victory.

When the match at the Stadium of Light concluded, Manchester City were incredibly trailing 2-1 at home against Queens Park Rangers. With Manchester United having already secured three points, Manchester City needed a win to claim the title.

However, moments later, Dzeko equalized, and then Aguero scored that famous winning goal in injury time, with Manchester City ultimately claiming the title and leaving Manchester United players heartbroken on the pitch.

Other former Manchester United teammates of Rooney have also commented on the upcoming verdict.

De Gea, who was part of the Manchester United team that lost the title in 2012, later finished second in the 2017-18 Premier League with the team. De Gea wrote on social media: "So... let's talk about this. How many Premier League titles have I actually won?"

Rio Ferdinand wrote: "Adding another Premier League medal to my trophy cabinet."

Tradotto dall'IA.

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