Michael Carrick has said being awarded medals retrospectively as a consequence of Manchester City‘s financial rule breaking will not replace the winning “moments” he was denied.
Carrick was a player under Sir Alex Ferguson when United came second in the Premier League behind City in 2012 and also when Jose Mourinho’s team finished runners-up to City in 2018.
Both seasons fall within the Premier League’s investigation into City’s finances between 2009 and 2018.
Sanctions are still to be announced following the damning guilty verdict published during the international break and City have lodged a formal appeal.
Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Carrick was asked whether he would accept medals if City’s appeal fails and the club are stripped of their titles.
“I think at the moment, as it’s still not finalised, I think I’ll hold that one until later on,” Carrick said.
“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. That’s essentially what we’re all in it for.
“Certainly I’ve got my own questions about it, you know, it’s affected me personally in different ways over a period of time.”
With sanctions still to be decided and City’s appeal ongoing, it’s unclear when the process might be concluded.
City’s punishment could have a significant impact on this season with teams in dark about how a potential points deduction could affect the final table — in terms of the title race, the fight for Champions League places and the relegation battle.
Carrick admits it’s a difficult situation, but called on the authorities to give clubs clarity as soon as possible.
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“What I will say, the sooner it gets sorted I think for everyone’s benefit is essential,” he said.
“Speed is essential. I think that’s pretty obvious for me to sit here and say that.
“There’s so many angles to look at from so many different perspectives, but really speed is essential for everyone to be clear, to be able to deal with it, to be able to move on whatever happens, I think.
“It’s unprecedented, you know, a unique situation to be in this, at this level with such a huge impact in so many ways. So, we all need to know what’s going to happen, really. I think that’s pretty clear.”
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola, whose side face City this weekend, said about the guilty verdict: “I think uncertainty is not good for anyone and anyone involved, but the process is ongoing and we have to patient like everyone else and see what happens at the end.
“We don’t know about the situation so I don’t think it is fair to give an opinion. They [the commission] have spent the time they’ve spent analysing everything. They have taken a lot of time so they are the ones who have to give a lot of answers. My opinion is not valid because I haven’t spent that time and I haven’t read as much as they’ve done.”
Iraola said his team will be able to focus despite the external noise: “I think the challenge of the game is so high that I don’t think players think too much outside of this. They are thinking ‘I have to mark this player’ or ‘I have to go and deal with this one’ or ‘I have be at this level because the level of the game is so high.’ They will be focused on those things. Obviously they will have their own opinions but I think they will be fully focused on what happens on the pitch.”
Iraola added: “I’ve said it before, the worst thing probably is the uncertainty. No one knows what’s going to happen. We have to focus on Liverpool and being the best club we can be, the best team we can be. That’s my challenge.”
Additional reporting from ESPN’s Beth Lindop.
