Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has criticised the "stupid" supporters who jeered Raheem Sterling as he made his debut for his new club following a £49 million move from Liverpool.
Sterling was the subject of negativity from the stands as he scored on his City debut in a pre-season game against Roma in Australia, even though he scored just over two minutes into his first game in a sky blue shirt.
It is not the first time Sterling has been jeered by fans as he was also the subject of boos from Republic of Ireland supporters as he played for England in an international friendly in Dublin last month.
Yet Nasri -- who was also the subject of similar criticism when he moved from Arsenal to City in 2011 -- has insisted City's latest star signing does not deserve the negativity coming his way. He backed the 20-year-old to silence his critics in the upcoming Premier League season.
"You always have stupid fans in the stadium. The same thing happened to me when I left Arsenal," Nasri said, in quotes appearing in the Daily Mirror. "You have to move on. He has come to Manchester City and you have to respect his decision.
"We just have to let him play and he will show how talented he is. He has speed and goals and he's one of the hottest prospects in world football. If the transfer is not too heavy on his shoulders then he can bring us many, many things.
"I have not spoken to him about the pressure and the reaction of the fans because we did not expect this. This is a game between Roma and Manchester City in Melbourne.
"We didn't expect anything like that from these fans, so it is a little surprise, but if he needs any advice about that, then he can come and talk to me."
Sterling was not the only player receiving criticism as he made his first start for City, with Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli infuriating his own club's supporters as he posted message on Twitter congratulating his former teammate following his debut goal.