Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has hit out at Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure for "sulking" about the club's failure to mark his 31st birthday.

Rumours that the Ivory Coast international could leave the Etihad Stadium began swirling after the midfielder suggested via his agent that he does not feel respected at the club.

Scholes criticised Toure in his latest blog for Paddy Power, saying: "As for Yaya Toure sulking because Manchester City didn't mark his birthday with sufficient respect, it was comical.

"Quite embarrassing, really. I can't remember Man United players acting like this. We still came back for pre-season. Poor Yaya, maybe the big lad just needs a cuddle."

Meanwhile, Toure has backtracked on comments that he made suggesting that he wants to join Paris Saint-Germain by insisting that they were taken out of context.