MANCHESTER UNITED BOSS Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit back at criticism from Robin van Persie, insisting the Dutchman “doesn’t have a right” to question his methods.
Working for BT Sport for United’s 2-0 loss to Arsenal on New Year’s Day, Van Persie questioned Solskjaer’s demeanour in the aftermath of such a disappointing result at Emirates Stadium.
“I would like to see him a bit more mean at times, just be angry,” the former United forward – who was signed from Arsenal - said. “I see him smiling now after a game like that. This is not the moment to smile.”
Yet Solskjaer made clear he was not impressed by the comments on the eve of his team’s FA Cup tie away at Wolves.
“I don’t know Robin and Robin doesn’t know me,” a defiant Solskjaer told the media. “He probably doesn’t have a right to criticise my management style and I won’t change. That’s definite.
Yeah Robin, he took my No.20 [shirt at United] and that’s probably all he’s going to take from me as well.”
United sit in fifth place in the Premier League table, but missed the chance to close the gap on Chelsea as they continue to struggle for consistency.
Their cause will not be aided at the start of 2020 by the absence of midfielder Paul Pogba, who is expected to be out for three to four weeks with a new ankle injury. Solskjaer revealed the issue was bone fragments, explaining:
“It’s not a big, massive injury.”
The Norwegian also responded to comments made by the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, over the Frenchman’s long-term future at Old Trafford.
Asked if agents should be offering their opinions on the state of clubs, Solskjaer replied: “No.”
He added: “I don’t think I should be talking to agents or about agents that talk about us, but Paul Pogba is our player and agents are hired by players, not the opposite way around. What me and Paul Pogba are talking about, I don’t have to talk to you about. That will be between us.”
With Pogba joining Scott McTominay on the sidelines, Nemanja Matic is not only set to stay during the January transfer window but could yet extend his time at the club beyond the 2019-20 season.
“Nemanja will stay. He’s been working hard to get back in and now he’s here and he’s playing well,” said Solskjaer, who added “there’s always a chance” of the Serbia international getting a new contract.
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Tough talk from Lole, it is a pity he is not as tough when it comes to professional dabber’s and car parking spaces.
@Roger Paltry: I think his use of the word “probably” pretty much sums up his inappropriateness for the job.
@Roger Paltry: VP comments were just petty. He didn’t give any justification as to why it matters he is happy or angry after a game, just stirring shït like English and Irish media like.
I love the man but he is in way over his head.
@Garykelly: I agree 100% completely and utterly out of his depth. Does not know how to hold a press conference and still thinks fergie is the gaffer! He’ll still probably get to the summer though. As a Utd fan this is killing me
Ole’s not the problem. The whole structure at the club is wrong and nothing but time will fix that. It will be at least ten years before that club wins another league title. It might even take a brief threat of relegation to change things. American owners running it as a money making franchise rather than a football club. Recruitment is all wrong, bringing in players on £150k plus a week who are too comfortable. No leaders, no hunger, no fear. All wrong.
@McG: Ole is not the problem? Are you kidding? Granted he’s not the only problem, but he’s certainly a significant part of it. He’s a useless manager, with zero credentials for the job.
@enid blyton: i disagree with your assessment of ole but even if you are correct then who is to blame for him being manager??
@enid blyton: so you reckon a manager like Pochettino would win a league with those players?? Jesse Lingard, paid £5.2m in 2019 to produce the same amount of PL goals and assist as I did – ZERO. Wake up.
@enid blyton: much bigger problems than ole that need fixing and at some point that where the majority will focus their attention.
@Brian Dunne: You’re right, it wasn’t his fault he was appointed, he never should have been, but he is completely out of his depth and would be at any premier league club not just united. For instance, could you see him having the same effect at Watford as Pearson has had? I think not in my opinion
@Brian Dunne: well that’s down to he board obviously Brian but the board won’t sack themselves, and in fact they won’t sack ole (despite the fact they obviously should) because for fear of criticism on themselves so theyll wait til may and when United finish 5th/6th they’ll sack him then because it’ll be safer.
@McG: ultimately both utd and arsenal failed massively to prepare for life after fergie and Wenger. Really poor recruiting on mediocre players and prima Donna’s. I can definitely see both clubs going down the Liverpool route where it’ll take them years to get back to the top
@Paul Mallon: why is it obvious they should sack him?? Is he not doing a resonable job considering the job he was handed? After one year he should be sacked because utd aren’t top of the league?
Did Van Persie never see Ole play? He always had a smile on his face, but he had the nerves to get very important goals for United when the rest of the team was struggling with the pressure. That’s the nature of him.
Rvp probably won’t take your job, but hopefully poch will soon.
Van persie is such an ar****le
@Dan2078: no he’s not, he’s spot on here. What are you smiling for? Smile when your happy. He was going after the arsenal players to shake hands at the end. Just bashed by the gunners. Completely got tactics wrong. Fool on the street knows you get in about arsenal and rattle them. Utd stood of them hoping for a counter attack. That club is in serious s..t and them players ain’t gonna bail it out.
Van Persie was spot on with his comments ,
It’s obvious that the players don’t fear him .
Thank christ someone involved with the club said it cos its been the same for a year now. Sick of watching games being behind and ole sitting there not moving a muscle. Pep klopp or any decent manager at 2-0 would be losing the plot
Has no balls either to be putting up with lingard and that w@nker pogba, should be given the sack and replaced with poch
@Jason Oliver: well said..
Ole would be a class youth coach/manager. But with the seniors… Nahhh