The independent commission's finding that Manchester City systematically breached the Premier League's financial rules across a nine-season period between 2009 and 2018 has reopened debate about the titles the Blues won during the affected window.

The 2011/12 season sits within the period covered by the charges - and it is the most prominent candidate for retrospective scrutiny given the manner in which it was decided.

Manchester United finished that campaign in second place, a single point behind City after one of the most dramatic finishes in Premier League history, with Sergio Aguero's injury-time winner against Queens Park Rangers on the final day denying United what would have been a 20th league title.

City's chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has since broken his silence on the guilty verdict, reaffirming the club's intent to prove their innocence through the appeals process.

The question of whether titles could be stripped is one that remains speculative at this stage. Sanctions have not yet been determined, with the punishment phase representing a separate stage of proceedings that has not yet begun.

Manchester City have pledged to pursue every available appeal avenue on the basis that the commission's opinion contains material errors of law, principle and fact - meaning any sanction would itself be contested before it could take effect.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand was among those who publicly raised the question of retrospective recognition for runners-up from affected seasons, a position that prompted a response from his former club captain.

Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, Rooney said: "I have heard Rio has come out saying about getting another Premier League medal. I wouldn't really feel comfortable accepting another Premier League medal, if I'm being honest.

"I don't think we deserve it, we didn't 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.

"I've seen everything that has come out over the past few days and listening to people and I was putting myself in a Man City player's shoes.

"They're players, they're doing everything they can to try and win the Premier League title and in their mind they have done it, if 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 away, but I wouldn't want it because I don't think as a team we deserved it that year because obviously we didn't finish first.

"So when I see team-mates saying I want a medal, I'm happy with the five I've won. I wouldn't want this one. Should they get it stripped for what the owners have done? Yeah maybe, but I wouldn't feel comfortable accepting it."

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters confirmed in the league's official statement that the process is moving into its next phase, with the sanctions hearing still to take place and the full resolution of the case - including City's expected appeal - potentially not arriving until 2028 or 2029.

The range of possible punishments the commission could impose includes points deductions, fines and, in theory, title stripping - though the last of those would represent an unprecedented step in English football's history and would face its own legal challenge.

The sanctions hearing before the independent commission is the next formal stage in proceedings, with Enzo Maresca's side returning to Premier League action on October 11 after the international break.

City sit top of the 2026/27 table with five wins from five, with a trip to Anfield lined up to face Liverpool before a home UEFA Champions League tie against holders Paris Saint-Germain.