Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has responded to recent comments from the club's former striker, Robin van Persie, by insisting the Dutchman "does not have the right" to criticise his management style.
Van Persie, who spent three seasons at Old Trafford and scored 48 goals in 86 appearances while winning one Premier League title, hit out at Solskjaer for smiling in the post-match interview following United's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.
"I see him smiling now after a game like that. This is not the moment to smile,” Van Persie, 36, said while working as a television pundit for BT Sport.
"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."
Solskjaer responded on Friday as he prepares his side for Saturday's FA Cup third round tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
"I don't know Robin and Robin doesn't know me," said Solskjaer, who spent 11 years as a United player, scoring 91 goals in 235 games. "He probably doesn't have a right to criticise my management style and I won't change.
"Yeah Robin, he took my [shirt] No 20 and that's probably all he's going to take from me as well."
Solskjaer was also forced to use his pre-match press conference to play down any suggestion of a disagreement over Paul Pogba's recent ankle surgery.
The Norwegian manager said on New Year's Day that Pogba's "people" had advised that the player, who has only started six matches in all competitions this season due to ankle problems, required surgery.
Speculation continues to surround the 26-year-old Frenchman, who has been regularly linked with a move away from Old Trafford and whose agent, Mino Raiola, has been scathing about the club in comments made in the Italian media.
Solskjaer sought to set the record straight regarding the World Cup winner, who joined United for a then world record £89 million (Dh428m) fee in 2016.
"Paul came back after a long spell out, (featured in) a few games, had a reaction, and didn't go to Burnley," he said.
"He felt his ankle was sore, we did a scan. It's not the same injury, it's a different injury, of course when you get that scan you (as a player) consult your own medical people as well, like I did. He wanted a second opinion and the advice was to have it done.
"It's not a major (injury) and probably, as I said, (he will be out) three or four weeks."
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Predictions for select FA Cup third round ties
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Rochdale v Newcastle United. After three defeats in a row, Newcastle are getting dragged back into a relegation scrap so it would be little surprise if Steve Bruce makes wholesale changes. Rochdale, 18th in League One, shouldn’t normally threaten a Premier League side, but this being the FA Cup… PREDICTION: Rochdale 1 Newcastle United 1. AFP -
Burnley v Peterborough United. Another top-flight team in dismal form, Burnley have lost six of their past eight league matches. Sean Dyche will also likely view this tie as a chance to rest key players, but his side should still have enough to beat a Peterborough team on a three-match losing run in League One. PREDICTION: Burnley 2 Peterborough 0. Getty -
Brighton & Hove Albion v Sheffield Wednesday. This is a potentially tricky tie for Brighton who have been praised this season for their aesthetic style, although results have been mixed. Wednesday, meanwhile, sit eighth in the Championship. Much will depend on the strength of Graham Potter’s team, but Brighton have enough quality to win. PREDICTION: Brighton 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1. Reuters -
Fulham v Aston Villa. Could Aston Villa be one of the first Premier League teams to tumble out of this year’s FA Cup? Based on this prediction they could be. Dean Smith will surely rest his key players for this tie and Championship play-off contenders Fulham will want to prove they can still mix it against top-flight sides ahead of a potential promotion. PREDICTION: Fulham 2 Aston Villa 1. Getty -
Southampton v Huddersfield Town. The humbling 9-0 loss to Leicester City seems an eternity ago now, with Southampton hitting a great patch of form to climb the Premier League table. Huddersfield, meanwhile, are languishing in 20th in the Championship. Even with a changed side, Southampton will have too much quality for their beleaguered opponents. PREDICTION: Southampton 3 Huddersfield 0. Reuters -
Preston North End v Norwich City. It’s been a mixed bag for Norwich on their return to the Premier League – some excellent results have been undone by inconsistencies and they sit rock bottom of the standings. Given their position in the thick of a relegation battle, Daniel Farke will surely rest vital players for this trip to Preston, who are ninth in the Championship. The last thing he would want is a replay. Preston 1 Norwich 1. Getty -
Watford v Tranmere. Nigel Pearson has begun in some style since taking over as Watford manager, orchestrating three wins and a draw in their past four games to climb off the foot of the Premier League table. Tranmere, on the other hand, are down in 21st in League One. Watford’s fringe players will want to impress the new manager so should lead the team to a comfortable win. PREDICTION: Watford 3 Tranmere 0. Getty -
Bournemouth v Luton Town. It’s not looking too good for Bournemouth at present, who slipped into the relegation zone after the heavy defeat to West Ham last time out. Luton, however, are bottom of the Championship. Bournemouth have a strong enough squad to win this, even if Eddie How rings the changes. PREDICTION: Bournemouth 4 Luton 0. Getty -
Leicester City v Wigan Athletic. Brendan Rodgers recently made wholesale changes to his starting XI in the Premier League and Leicester still cruised to victory over West Ham. Similar changes for this match against a side in the Championship relegation zone should result in a routine win. PREDICTION: Leicester 3 Wigan 0. AP -
Wolves v Manchester United. One of just two all-Premier League ties is contested by two sides with little between them in the top-flight standings, with seventh-placed Wolves just a point behind Manchester United in fifth. Given the size of this occasion, both clubs will likely field strong teams, with Wolves delighting the home crowd come full time. PREDICTION: Wolves 2 Manchester United 1. Reuters -
Manchester City v Port Vale. It hasn’t all gone to plan in the Premier League this season for the champions but they can begin their FA Cup defence in style against League Two side Port Vale. Pep Guardiola will make plenty of changes but the City squad is so good that it will have little bearing on the result. PREDICTION: Manchester City 4 Port Vale 0. AFP -
Chelsea v Nottingham Forest. In a battle between to fourth-placed clubs, Premier League side Chelsea face the Championship’s Nottingham Forest. This could be a tough game for the Blues, with Forest on a three-match winning run, but they boast enough top players and talented youngsters in their squad to get the win. PREDICTION: Chelsea 2 Nottingham Forest 1. AFP -
Middlesbrough v Tottenham. It’s been a tough few days for Tottenham and their manager Jose Mourinho after defeat to Southampton and the likelihood of a spell on the sidelines for star man Harry Kane. Still, Middlesbrough, 16th in the Championship, should pose few problems even for a much-changed Spurs side. PREDICTION: Middlesbrough 0 Tottenham 2. AFP -
Sheffield United v Fylde. Sheffield United are enjoying their return to the top-flight and sit eighth - win their game in hand and they could move up to fifth. Facing a team at the wrong end of the Conference, Chris Wilder will be afforded the opportunity to make changes while still booking passage to the fourth round. PREDICTION: Sheffield United 2 Fylde 0. Reuters -
Crystal Palace v Derby County. Crystal Palace have quietly gone about their business this season and sit pretty in ninth in the Premier League, while Derby County are struggling down in 17th in the Championship. However, there is one potential factor to take into consideration – Wayne Rooney could line up for his new club at Selhurst Park. Call it the ‘Magic of the Cup’ but Rooney comes off the bench to score the winner. PREDICTION: Crystal Palace 1 Derby 2. Getty -
Liverpool v Everton. It appears there is no stopping Liverpool this season: streets ahead at the top of the Premier League and progressing in Europe, life could not be better at Anfield. However, Everton’s prospects have brightened since the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti and the visitors will be determined to avoid defeat at their biggest rivals. Klopp will likely rest his big stars and Everton can force the replay. Liverpool 1 Everton 1. Getty -
Gillingham v West Ham. David Moyes made an instant impact on his return to West Ham and he will want to keep the good times rolling to prove he deserves to be back in the job. The players will be looking to show the new manager what they are capable of, so even with changes the London club should have too much for a Gillingham side 11th in League One. PREDICTION: Gillingham 1 West Ham. Reuters -
Arsenal v Leeds United. In terms of a spectacle, this could be one of the ties of the round. Leeds are locked in a two-way battle with West Brom at the top of the Championship table, while Arsenal produced their best performance of the season to defeat Manchester United last time out after a largely miserable campaign so far. Both managers will want to field strong teams for this tie while Leeds will be desperate to prove they belong back at the top level. Minor shock on the cards. PREDICTION: Arsenal 1 Leeds United 2. Getty
