Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit back at criticism of his management style from former Manchester United player Robin van Persie and told Pogba’s agent to mind his own business.
Van Persie had watched Solskjaer smiling through an interview after Arsenal defeat, which left United five points adrift of the top four, and claimed that was “not the moment to smile” and that the coach needs to be a bit more mean at times.
But Van Persie’s remarks drew an angry response from Solskjaer, who had left Old Trafford after a spell as reserve team manager a year before the Dutchman joined the Red devils.
“I don’t know Robin and Robin doesn’t know me,” Solskjaer said ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, where United have lost on two of their previous three visits.
“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. Because I’m not in medieval times.”
Solskjaer has not been afraid to get tough with players at times. For example, he tore a strip off Anthony Martial in the dressing room against Chelsea in April after being infuriated by the striker’s lack of effort in the warm up and gave Jesse Lingard a final warning for a controversial Snapchat video.
However, Solskjaer is adamant he will not change his placid demeanour, even if it was clear on Friday that he felt Raiola had crossed a line with his attack on the way United are run.
Asked if agents should speak about clubs, Solskjaer said: “No” and said he had addressed the issue with Paul Pogba. “I can speak to Paul Pogba about it,” the United manager said.
“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. It’s not ‘agents’ players’, it’s ‘our players’. What me and Paul Pogba are talking about, I don’t have to talk to you about. That will be between us.
“Paul Pogba is very committed to coming back, playing well for us, and 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.”
With McTominay also out for two months, Solskjaer said that any plans to sell Matic this month had been dropped amid interest from Inter Milan and Atletico.
“Nemanja will stay,” said Solskjaer, who added there was “always a chance” of a new deal for the midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of the campaign but with the option of another 12 months.
