Wayne Rooney has said Manchester United should not be handed Premier League titles retrospectively if Manchester City are stripped of championships following the conclusion of their financial case.

The former United striker was part of the team that finished second behind City in the dramatic 2011/12 Premier League campaign.

Despite the possibility of United being declared champions if City lose the title, Rooney said he would not regard such an award as deserved.

Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, Rooney explained that United did not finish top on the pitch and therefore he would not be comfortable receiving another championship medal many years later.

The former England international also highlighted the potential impact on City players who may have had no knowledge of any alleged financial wrongdoing by the club’s management.

Rooney’s comments came after former United teammates Rio Ferdinand and David de Gea suggested that the club could receive retrospective titles following City’s guilty verdict on most of the charges brought by the Premier League.

City have denied the allegations and are expected to appeal the findings. No sanctions have been announced, although possible punishments could include points deductions, title stripping or relegation.

Rooney went further by suggesting that any punishment should be substantial if the breaches are ultimately confirmed.

He said City could potentially be relegated as far as League Two and face financial restrictions for several seasons.

The 2011/12 title race remains one of the closest in Premier League history, with City eventually winning the championship ahead of United on goal difference.