Morgan Whittaker has strongly denied claims that he refused to play for Plymouth Argyle during their 5-0 defeat to Burnley last week.
Pilgrims head coach Miron Muslic stated the 24-year-old “did not show up” despite being selected. However, Whittaker, who joined Middlesbrough on Friday in a club-record £5 million transfer (potentially rising to £7 million with add-ons), clarified the situation on Instagram.
“I want to make it clear I never refused to play against Burnley,” he wrote. “The manager and I agreed that, with bids from Burnley and Middlesbrough on the table, I wouldn’t be up for selection. I trained with the non-selected players as I wasn’t involved in the match preparation.”
Whittaker also said the coaching staff and his teammates knew he was not in the squad, adding, “The backlash from the manager’s comments has been devastating. To have my character, mindset, and commitment questioned is deeply upsetting.”
Muslic initially criticised Whittaker’s “mentality” following the match but struck a more conciliatory tone after Argyle’s 2-2 draw at Sunderland, saying, “We are happy for Morgan; it’s a good move for Argyle. We wish him all the best—he achieved a lot here.”
Whittaker, who helped Argyle win the League One title in 2023, expressed gratitude to the club. “Some of the most magical moments of my career happened here. From promotion to being named in the Championship Team of the Season, Plymouth will always hold a huge space in my heart.”
He concluded, “I’m sorry it ended this way, but I never refused to play.”
