"Joey Barton told me nobody wanted me there, Newcastle fans didnt appreciate me, and the local media didnt help - it led to a toxic atmosphere" Alan Pardew feels hard done by over Newcastle United spell
Wayne Rooney wouldnt want a Premier League winners medal from 2012 if Manchester City were stripped of the title, insisting Manchester United didnt deserve to finish above their crosstown rivals. United thought they had wrapped the crown up 14 years ago after their 1-0 win at Sunderland on the final day. City had to beat QPR to pip them but were 2-1 down when the whistle went at the Stadium of Light. The United players were poised to celebrate only for last-gasp goals from Edin Dzeko and, memorably, Sergio Aguero to spark pandemonium at the Etihad.The subsequent claim that City have broken 114 financial rules has led to calls for them to lose all the titles accrued over the affected period, including the 2012 title.That could mean United are gifted another Premier League trophy and Rooneys former team-mates Rio Ferdinand and David De Gea have both suggested it is right that their personal medal hauls are increased.Rooney United didnt deserve to win the leagueBut Rooney is adamant the City players should not be punished for alleged indiscretions at board level.Speaking on Stick To United, he said: I have heard Rio has come out saying about getting another Premier League medal I wouldnt really feel comfortable accepting another Premier League medal, if Im being honest.I dont think we deserve it, we didnt do enough that season to win the league. I think we were six or seven points clear with four or five games to go and we threw it away.Ive seen everything that has come out over the past few days and listening to people and I was putting myself in a Man City players shoes theyre players, theyre doing everything they can to try and win the Premier League title and in their mind they have done it, those players have no understanding of what is going on above them, if that happened to me I would be absolutely devastated.It might happen, they might take them [medals] away, but I wouldnt want it [a medal] because I dont think as a team we deserved it that year because obviously we didnt finish first.Im happy with my five titles RooneyThe Premier League have yet to confirm City have been found guilty the story was broken by the Athletic last Friday and there is no clarity on the sanctions the club could face.Rooney added: I see team-mates saying I want a medal, Im happy with the five Ive won. I wouldnt want this one. Should they get it stripped for what the owners have done? Yeah maybe, but I wouldnt feel comfortable accepting it. Topics Manchester City F.C. Manchester United F.C. Rio Ferdinand Wayne Rooney Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Liverpool worry ahead of Manchester City clash as Gakpo joins Isak in pulling out of international duty Jon Fisher 28th September, 2026 Mancini claims double contract with Manchester City their issue, not mine Mitch Fretton 28th September, 2026 Former Manchester City chief Bernstein says club should be punished with more than fines and league status should be affected after guilty verdict Cian Cheesbrough 27th September, 2026 New Manchester United injury concern as Patrick Dorgu forced off in first half of Denmark vs Wales Cian Cheesbrough 27th September, 2026 What Bruno Fernandes injury means for Manchester United as complicated issue revealed by Portugal Cian Cheesbrough 27th September, 2026 Man City chairman Al Mubarak responds after club found guilty of 114 financial breaches Nicholas McGee 26th September, 2026
