Dunne hits out

"The manager (Mark Hughes) is very quiet, he does his own thing and I spoke with him a few times through the summer about what was going on. He was of the opinion that City needed two players for every position and that was the way the squad was going to work.

'The last time I spoke to him was in Africa after I had found out some other stuff. I said, "Where do I lie in the whole thing?" and he said they were trying to sign players and I would be part of his squad and I could fight for my place.

'He said I was still the captain and even last week he said to me he would rather I stayed but he was told we needed to get money in. I don't think it was his decision.

'They told me they have a certain amount of money they have to recoup each season to make things look better on the books. I could understand if I was being sold for £200m, it might make sense, but it was a bit strange really.

'It just needed people to be honest with me. I was getting phone calls from people saying Garry Cook (pictured) was trying to sell me behind my back, two months after me going to him and saying if he has any problems to come and deal with me. I'm disappointed with people who say one thing and then do the other.

'I'm not going to cry just because the club wanted to sell me - just don't do it behind my back.'

>>mail online.

It makes for sensationalist headlines for sure, and the 'back stabbing' angle is the one that has been followed by most of the press following Dunne's comments.

The main protagonist according to Dunne is of course Garry Cook. A man (and his actions) who the majority of fans are wary of will not have endeared himself if there is truth to the accusations that the departure of Dunne was conducted in a distasteful manner.

Of course it could well be a case of Dunne venting some frustration given the way in which he faced losing his position as player and captain in the side and then was sold when he had no great desire to leave (or choice in the matter).

At the very least, it is a scenario where a player - under contract for four further years - was ushered out of the club, and whilst he could have rejected a move, in reality there was no real opportunity for him to do that.