Manchester United supporters could soon find themselves discussing one of the most controversial possibilities in Premier League history, following the independent commission’s decision against Manchester City in the long-running financial charges case.
With City appealing the findings, questions are being raised about whether titles won during the period under investigation could eventually be affected, including the 2012–13 and 2017–18 Premier League campaigns.
However, there has been no official announcement that Manchester United will be declared the rightful winners of either season. Any decision to remove titles or reassign championships would depend on the relevant disciplinary authorities, and there is no guarantee that the runners-up would automatically inherit the trophies.
The situation has nevertheless created enormous interest among football supporters, particularly those who remember Manchester United’s historic success under Sir Alex Ferguson and the dramatic title battles that followed his retirement.
Manchester City’s financial charges case has become one of the most significant disciplinary disputes in English football. In September 2026, an independent commission found City guilty of serious financial breaches covering the period from 2009 to 2018. The club has since appealed, maintaining that the decision contains substantial legal and factual errors.
For Manchester United supporters, the implications are particularly interesting because City finished ahead of their neighbours in several title races during the period covered by the investigation.
The 2012–13 season was the final campaign of Ferguson’s legendary managerial career at Old Trafford. United won the Premier League title with 89 points, finishing 11 points ahead of Manchester City, who collected 78 points. United were the undisputed champions of that season, and their title was not won at City’s expense through a disputed final-day result.
The more controversial discussion concerns City’s subsequent title-winning campaigns, particularly 2017–18, when Pep Guardiola’s side produced a record-breaking season.
City finished the 2017–18 campaign with 100 points, establishing a new Premier League record at the time. Manchester United finished second with 81 points, 19 points behind their local rivals.
That remarkable achievement helped establish City as one of the dominant teams in English football. However, the financial findings announced in September 2026 have prompted renewed debate about the period in which the club built its success.
The independent commission found that City had breached financial rules over several seasons and had used commercial arrangements that misrepresented the true agreements between the parties. The commission also found that the club had failed to cooperate properly with aspects of the Premier League’s investigation.
City strongly disputes the findings and has lodged an appeal. The club maintains that it is innocent of the accusations and believes the commission’s decision should be overturned.
The appeal is therefore a crucial part of the process. Until the relevant proceedings are completed and any sanctions are determined, speculation about the removal or reassignment of Premier League titles must be treated with caution.
Could Manchester United Benefit From Any Decision Against Manchester City?
Manchester United’s name has naturally entered discussions about possible consequences because the club finished behind City during some of the seasons covered by the financial case.
The 2017–18 campaign is the clearest example. United finished second, and some supporters have suggested that the club should be considered for the title if City were eventually stripped of the championship.
However, Premier League rules do not mean that a title automatically passes to the runner-up whenever a champion faces disciplinary action.
The authorities would need to determine the appropriate sanctions and decide whether the circumstances justified changing historical league records. Potential outcomes could include financial penalties, points deductions or other sporting sanctions. The possibility of title removal has also been discussed publicly, but the eventual outcome remains uncertain.
If the authorities decided to remove City’s 2017–18 title and award it to United, the decision would have enormous historical significance. It would change the official record of that campaign and add another championship to United’s Premier League history.
Nevertheless, such a decision would require an official ruling. It cannot be assumed simply because United finished second.
The 2017–18 Season Could Become a Major Talking Point
Manchester City’s 2017–18 campaign remains one of the most memorable seasons in Premier League history.
Guardiola’s team won 32 league matches, recorded 100 points and finished with a substantial advantage over their closest challengers. Their football attracted widespread praise, while their results established a benchmark that other clubs attempted to match.
Manchester United, meanwhile, were managed by José Mourinho and finished second after an inconsistent campaign that included several impressive victories but also disappointing results.
United’s 81 points would ordinarily have been enough to mount a serious title challenge in many Premier League seasons. However, City’s extraordinary consistency meant that the championship was effectively secured before the final weeks of the campaign.
If City were eventually stripped of that title, the question of whether United should receive it would become one of the most closely debated issues in English football.
Some supporters would argue that the runner-up should be rewarded because it finished immediately behind the sanctioned club. Others would argue that removing a title and awarding it to another team are separate decisions that require independent consideration.
Both positions reflect the wider uncertainty surrounding retrospective sporting sanctions.
Why the 2012–13 Season Is Different
The suggestion that Manchester United could also be declared champions of the 2012–13 campaign requires an important correction.
United actually won that season’s Premier League title on the pitch, finishing comfortably ahead of Manchester City. Ferguson’s side secured the championship in April 2013, making it his 13th English league title with the club and United’s 20th top-flight championship.
Consequently, United would not need a court to award them the 2012–13 title. They are already the recognised champions of that season.
The more relevant question would be whether any disciplinary decision against City could affect the historical record of City’s second-place finish or result in other retrospective consequences.
There has been no official announcement that the Premier League intends to reopen the 2012–13 title race or declare a different champion.
The distinction matters because the Manchester City financial case concerns alleged breaches of financial regulations, not a ruling that automatically invalidates every result recorded during the period under investigation.
Any retrospective action would have to be determined through the appropriate procedures.
Manchester United Supporters Await Further Developments
The case has attracted attention across the football world because of the potential consequences for Manchester City’s reputation and historical achievements.
For Manchester United fans, the possibility of changes to historical records has become another talking point in the rivalry between the two Manchester clubs.
United have enjoyed an extraordinary history of domestic success, including their dominance under Ferguson. City’s rise during the following decade transformed the balance of power in Manchester, with Guardiola’s team collecting multiple league titles and establishing themselves as one of Europe’s strongest sides.
The current dispute has raised questions about how financial regulations should be enforced and what consequences should follow when serious breaches are established.
Nevertheless, Manchester United cannot simply claim additional championships because City have been found guilty of financial violations. Any alteration to official records would need to follow the applicable disciplinary rules and be confirmed by the relevant authorities.
The process must also account for City’s appeal, which could change the original findings.
What Happens Next?
Manchester City’s appeal represents the next major stage in the case. The club is seeking to overturn the independent commission’s findings, while the Premier League must continue through the established disciplinary procedures.
The final outcome could have far-reaching consequences for the club, depending on the appeal decision and any sanctions subsequently imposed.
Possible sporting penalties have been discussed, including points deductions and title removal. However, the exact punishment, if any, will depend on the decisions made by the relevant authorities.
Manchester United supporters will therefore have to wait for official developments rather than assume that any historical title is about to be reassigned.
If a future ruling removes a Manchester City championship, the question of whether the runner-up should inherit it would become a major issue. But the outcome cannot be predicted with certainty.
For now, the most accurate conclusion is that Manchester United remain the recognised champions of the 2012–13 Premier League season, while City remain the recognised champions of 2017–18 unless and until an official decision changes the record.
The Manchester City case is still developing, and the appeal could prove decisive. Until a final outcome is announced, claims that Manchester United are about to be awarded City’s titles should be treated as speculation rather than confirmed breaking news.