Morgan Schneiderlin has revealed that he accused Southampton of treating him like "cattle" when they refused to sanction a move for him in the summer transfer window.
The Frenchman was linked to both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, but after the Saints sold Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers, Schneiderlin was told that he had to stay put.
The midfielder has since said that he has no issues with the club, but has recalled a frustrating summer for him.
"I'm a nice guy, but when something does not please me I say so," the Daily Star quotes Schneiderlin as saying. "I'm not a sheep. I will fight for my interest, my career.
"The club had always told me they'd sell me if the price was right. Then they confirmed to my agents, 'Morgan is not for sale'. It was a shock to me. I said to myself, 'Why block [my move] after all I've given and lived through at this club'?
"You bet I was angry. I had to make a stand. I went for it. 'You are not showing me any respect and you haven't kept your word. You are treating me like cattle'. They were defending their interests and I was defending mine."
Schneiderlin joined Southampton back in 2008.
Danielle Joynson
