George McCartney has launched a scathing attack on his former club West Ham, after the side circulated a press release stating that the player had asked to be transfer listed. McCartney completed a move to his former club, Sunderland.

"I have seen on the West Ham website I handed in a written transfer request,” said McCartney.

"I never did anything of the sort. Probably the board at West Ham are trying to cover their tracks.

"I did propose that for family reasons I would like to move back north. But the manager said 'no' I wasn't leaving and just to concentrate on West Ham.

"I was happy to stay. That was on the Friday and I played my part in the Blackburn game on the Saturday.

"The thought of leaving was finished as far as I was concerned but then something changed. I got an indication on Sunday that I could be on my way.

"These are strange times at West Ham and no-one really knows what is going on at boardroom level."