Middlesbrough FC's Morgan Whittaker further outlines "upsetting" Plymouth Argyle situation | OneFootball

Morgan Whittaker has opened up on the situation surrounding his Plymouth Argyle exit

Morgan Whittaker has opened up on the fallout of his Plymouth Argyle exit following his move to Middlesbrough.

The forward was absent for the Pilgrims’ 5-0 loss to Burnley, with Miron Muslic claiming that Whittaker failed to show up for the clash.

This led to the player coming under intense scrutiny and criticism ahead of his switch to Michael Carrick’s side.

The 24-year-old was a key figure for the Devon outfit prior to his departure, but had struggled for form in the first half of the campaign, with just three goals to his name.

Morgan Whittaker opens up on Plymouth exit

Whittaker has defended his actions after Muslic publicly criticised the winger after the 5-0 defeat earlier this month.

He has claimed that an agreement had been reached the day before the clash against Scott Parker’s side to sit out the game, and that it was never his intention to have a sour exit from Home Park.

"It was very upsetting," said Whittaker, via The Northern Echo.

"Plymouth was a massive part of my career so the way it ended and how it ended, I didn't like it at all.

"What was said about me after the Burnley game, I knew it wasn't true, the players knew it wasn't true and everyone at the club knew it wasn't true.

"We had an agreement with the manager before the Burnley game.

"I thought it was an easy decision, he was very understanding and we went forward from there.

"But then there was the comments after.

"The aftermath of those comments has been very upsetting, not just for me but for my partner and family as well.

"We loved our time at Plymouth and for it to end how it did, it's really upsetting."

Whittaker could be in line for his Middlesbrough debut this weekend when the club takes on rivals Sunderland on 3 February.

Middlesbrough is a fresh start for Whittaker

The situation involving Muslic and Whittaker is now in the past, and the forward must move on and focus on what he can achieve at Middlesbrough instead.

It is important that he gave his side of the story, especially after the Plymouth boss initially made it so public.

But his attention has to now turn to the Sunderland game and making a strong first impression with his new club.

It’s been a difficult year for the 24-year-old, but this move has the potential to be a very promising one for both parties, if Whittaker can get back to his best.