That’s Rich

NEW Aston Villa signing Richard Dunne has accused Manchester City of showing a lack of loyalty to him and forcing him out of the club after nine years of service.

And in calmly expressed but hard-hitting comments yesterday, he laid a large part of the blame for his departure at the door of chief executive Garry Cook. Remarkably, the Irish international has also said that he was told he had to be sold because City – often described as the richest club in world football – needed the money.

Dunne’s €6.8m move from Eastlands to Villa Park was finally confirmed yesterday, almost 24 hours after the official closure of the transfer window, and the Irish international has now claimed that the delay in completing the deal was due to a dispute about what he insists was a promised testimonial for him at the club.