Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit back angrily at Robin van Persie after the former Manchester United striker criticised him for smiling after the defeat at Arsenal.
Van Persie made the comment as a pundit for BT Sport after the Norwegian’s post-match interview at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
Solskjaer bristled when it was brought up at his weekly press conference on Friday.
The United manager insisted that he won’t alter his approach and issued a sharp put-down to Van Persie, who inherited Solskjaer’s No 20 shirt at Old Trafford in 2012, five years after the Norwegian had retired.
‘I don’t know Robin and Robin doesn’t know me,’ snapped Solskjaer. ‘He probably doesn’t have a right to criticise my management style and I won’t change.
‘Robin, he took my No 20 and that’s probably all he’s going to take from me as well... because I’m not in medieval times.’ The final words were delivered as Solskjaer left the room, implying that he believes Van Persie’s views are outdated.
The Dutchman had said in the wake of United’s 2-0 defeat at Arsenal: ‘When I listen to Ole, he sounds like a really nice guy. I would like to see him a bit more mean at times — just be angry. I see him smiling now after a game like that. This is not the moment to smile.’
They weren’t the only comments that demanded a response from Solskjaer on Friday, creating an unwanted distraction from this evening’s FA Cup third round tie at Wolves. He was also asked about accusations by Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola that the problems at United are wrecking players’ careers.
‘I wouldn’t take anyone there, they would even ruin (Diego) Maradona, Pele and (Paolo) Maldini,’ said Raiola. ‘Paul needs a club and a squad, one like Juventus was before.’
Asked if agents should be commenting on clubs, Solskjaer replied with a curt ‘no’ before adding he is likely to address the issue personally with Pogba, who had ankle surgery on Thursday after just two comeback appearances.
‘Paul is very committed to coming back and playing well for us. It’s hard when you’re injured to go and talk about all sorts. I think his talking needs to be when he comes back on the pitch.’
Pogba again dominated the agenda on Friday, much to Solskjaer’s frustration as he tried to clarify a comment in midweek that the decision to send the Frenchman for surgery was made by ‘his people’.
‘That’s maybe my bad English,’ explained Solskjaer. ‘As in when you consult your surgeon and the ones you trust. You want the best second opinion and the advice was to have it done.’
He added that Pogba’s injury is different from the one that kept him out for three months. ‘It’s some bone fragments,’ said Solskjaer. ‘It’s not a massive injury but it will keep him out for a while.’
Solskjaer confirmed that the injuries to Pogba and Scott McTominay mean that Nemanja Matic will stay at the club.
United’s problems have been compounded by an illness in camp. Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard were sent home from training on Friday.
fauopsuy
3425
He's the baby-faced assassin remember? their facial expressions don't change
Zuhalmnry
1234
OGD is not qualified to be Manchester United manager and will never be. That's the biggest club in the world for crying out loud. United needs big names to stay up top with the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern München. Ed woodwood and the board will toil, toil and toil again then still sack him. Talking about RV persie comments, he is very right. He likes the club and that's why he criticised the manager for appearing not troubled after a defeat to a top 6 rival. OGS stupidly showed the arrogant Guadiola and Mourinho side of him instead. I'm not a United fan, but who in God's green Earth won't like the biggest club on the planet to succeed? OGS is a writh wrath
maddyfootballer
364
Smiling after defeat when your team gave it all and just couldn't win because they were unlucky or against better opponents is okay, but if you smile after putting up a horrendous display, you must not smile
Profnick
309
the reason why Jose lost the dressing room was because he couldn't hide his anger and vented it out on everyone without using his brains to man manage properly, Ole is a cultured man who knows that you don't wash your dirty linen in public, why put up a frown just to please the media? win or lose your facial expressions won't change the results, it's what you do in the next training session that matters. he lost to Watford, his facial expressions didn't change, he beat Newcastle and Burnely his facial expressions didn't change, that's Ole for you
DaMhztourage
230
Van Persie's comments may be concise , but coming at the wrong time and a bit blunt as a former Utd player too , Ole don't have to show the public he's angry about losing the game , because he need to compose himself and prepare for next game without hurting the feelings of his players openly after he might have scolded at them privately, Van Persie in the process would toed the foot of Roy Kean and Paul Ince with scathing and open criticism of recent Utd coaches , it doesn't sound so healthy , i must say ..
Winmoprsyz
138
i disagree with that... especially about ole in particular, he smiles too much, even after a defeat and no big improvement still in the next game... relate it to pep or klopp they express their sad feeling during after a bad game and translate it into a ruthless performance the next game...