Manchester City Winger Raheem Sterling has stopped checking his social media accounts because of the abuse he is getting from critics.

The 22-year-old England international was particularly targeted with online criticism during the European Championship in 2016. At that tournament, Sterling dubbed himself “the hated one” on Instagram following England’s opening game against Russia.

City manager pep Guardiola phoned Sterling during Euro 2016 in a show of support, and the winger has improved his end product under the Spanish coach with six goals already in the Premier League this season. He is only five off his best goal tally for a season.

Sterling was linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer transfer window as part of a potential package that could have brought Alexis Sanchez to City, but Guardiola said recently that Sterling was never going to leave.