Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has blasted former United striker Robin Van Persie that he (Robin) “does not have the right” to criticise his management style.
Van Persie was unhappy with the manner Manchester United came about their defeat at the hands of another former club, Arsenal on Wednesday and remarked “this is not the moment to smile”.
“I don’t know Robin and Robin doesn’t know me,” Solskjaer said on Friday.
“He probably doesn’t have a right to criticise my management style and I won’t change.”
Van Persie joined United from Arsenal in 2012 winning the league with them and scoring 48 goals in 86 appearances.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer featured for the club from 1996 to 2007 scoring 91 goals in 235 appearances.
“Yeah Robin, he took my [shirt] number 20 and that’s probably all he’s going to take from me as well,” Solskjaer said.
Manchester United are fifth on the log, four points behind 4th placed Chelsea and face a tricky FA tie against Wolves in their next game.
Solskjaer is without his two best midfielders with Pogba out for another 4 weeks and McTominay out for 8.
There have been speculations of Nemanja Matic leaving the club this January but with options limited in the middle selling off another midfielder isn’t a wise move and Ole knows that too
“We have been looking to strengthen the squad in different positions,” said Solskjaer. “But in midfield, at the start of the season we had four fit players for two positions and we didn’t find the right one for the value.
“Of course, [the injuries] are a big blow. You could probably handle it with three players rotating.
“If you’ve got two fit it is a hard task for them. We will just have to ask them to keep going if they can. You can’t just accept we’re tired.”
Concerning the confusion surrounding Pogba’s injury, the boss clarified stating that his (Pogba) latest operation was to clear up some bone fragments around the ankle.
“If the player is not happy with what he’s feeling and he’s got loads of pain, then it might be a worry it can get worse,” said Solskjaer.
Solskjaer is unhappy about comments by Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola about the United’s management “ruining” great players.
“Paul is a top player who we have missed this season,” he said.
“He is very committed to coming back and playing well for us but it’s hard to talk when you’re injured. His talking needs to be done when he comes back on the pitch.
“The most important thing is that we get him fit.”
United still have Fred and Mata as other options in the midfield but may look to bring in another midfielder this January.
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