Solskjaer tells RVP to take a walk after stern defence of Man Utd methods

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told Robin van Persie to mind his own business by responding to criticism of his management style from former Red Devils striker by stating: “I’m not in medieval times.”

The Dutchman felt Solskjaer was raging at Solskjaer and claimed he appeared too upbeat in the aftermath of the 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on New Year’s Day which leaves United five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League.

Van Persie said Solskjaer “seems like a really nice guy” but that the Norwegian needed to be more “mean at times” and “more angry” and added: “You need to have fear as well for your coach.”

Solskjaer, who is also having to handle fresh speculation surrounding the future of star midfielder Paul Pogba, said Van Persie was not in a position to judge his methods.

“I don’t know Robin and Robin doesn’t know me,” he said ahead of his side’s FA Cup third-round tie away to Wolves.

“He probably doesn’t have a right to criticise my management style and I won’t change. That’s definite. Robin took my number 20 (shirt) and that’s probably all he’s going to take from me as well. Because I’m not in medieval times.”

The “medieval times” remark was perceived to be Solskjaer defending his man-management methods, which appear far removed from the more autocratic approach of his old United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

United travel to Molineux on Saturday evening to take on the team who knocked them out in last season’s quarter-finals.

The injuries to Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay have severely weakened United in midfield, and Solskjaer admits it puts pressure on Nemanja Matic and Fred.

“You could probably deal with three players rotating, (but) if you’ve got the two fit like we have now with Nemanja and Fred it will be a hard task for them,” he added.

“We will just have to ask them to keep going if they can. Nemanja has been out for a while, Paul has been out for a while and I think Scott McTominay and Fred have done really well.

“Now Nemanja is in with Scott out and Paul unfortunately not there. We just have to find a way.”

Our readers, meanwhile, believe one mooted January transfer would reflect extremely negatively on United were they to pull the deal off.