Manchester United legends are divided over whether they would accept Premier League winners' medals if Manchester City are retroactively stripped of titles. City were found guilty of 114 breaches between 2009 and 2018, with punishments yet to be decided as the club appeals.
City's titles under threat
City finished ahead of United on goal difference to win the 2011/12 title and beat them again in 2017/18 with a record 100 points, finishing 19 points clear. The club has lodged a formal appeal and maintains its innocence.
Some former United players argue retrospective medals would deliver delayed justice, while others reject accepting silverware not won on the pitch. Six Old Trafford figures have declared their stances.
Pogba, Scholes and Ferdinand in favour
Paul Pogba, whose second stint at United saw the club finish second behind City in 2017/18, said at the Singapore Grand Prix: "I just hope it doesn't affect the Premier League. Hopefully we can get two titles back."
Paul Scholes, who came out of retirement midway through the 2011/12 campaign, wrote on Instagram Stories: "Keep hearing ex-team-mates saying they want trophies taking off them but they don't want their medals… f*** that I'm a greedy b**** I want my medal."
Rio Ferdinand joked on Rio Ferdinand Presents that ex-City defender Joleon Lescott should hand over his medal. He said: "When I see Joleon, I'm actually going to go to his house and just say, 'Listen, hand it over. Hand it over.'"
Rooney, Owen and Carrick against
Wayne Rooney, who scored 27 league goals in 2011/12, told Match of the Day: "It's difficult. I look at it from the players' point of view. I'm assuming all the players didn't know what was going on. They went onto the football pitch and won the league, while we finished second. We didn't finish first. Why would we want a medal for finishing second?"
Michael Owen, whose only league title came at United in 2010/11, told GOAL: "I think I'd be entitled to an extra league medal if that was the case, but it wouldn't feel like it. To me, football is about memories and not 10, 15, 20 years later getting handed something."
Michael Carrick, part of both second-placed finishes, said earlier this month: "I think at the moment, as it's still not finalised, I think I'll hold that one until later on. I think regardless of anything, a medal anyway, in any sport in history, I think the later on you get the medal, and it's proven at different times. It's the moment that you strive for - to win and achieve in that moment - so the medal here or there, not getting blasé about it, but that doesn't bring the feeling of when you initially win or you don't win."
