‘This is not the moment to smile’: Robin van Persie criticises Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s conduct after Arsenal defeat

‘I would like to see him a bit more edgy, a bit more mean at times’

Robin van Persie has urged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be “more mean” while criticising the Manchester United manager for smiling in the wake of his side’s 2-0 defeat at Arsenal.

The Norwegian struck a jovial tone in his post-match interview, despite seeing his men comfortably beaten at the Emirates on Wednesday night.

And Van Persie, speaking as a pundit on BT Sport, was far from impressed with Solskjaer’s conduct.

“I look at Ole and he seems like a really nice guy,” the former United and Arsenal striker said.

“I would like to see him a bit more edgy, a bit more mean at times. He’s smiling after a game like that. This is not the moment to smile.”

When asked if United’s players fear the Norwegian, Van Persie said it is “probably” lacking in the dressing room.

“You need a bit of fear as well for your coach, but first you need a game plan,” he said.

“If you have that then you know if you don’t make those runs, if don’t past the balls [sic], you will get punished. You will not play the next game.”

Rio Ferdinand echoed his former teammate’s sentiments but suggested that Solskjaer has what it takes to get tough with his players when required.

“There might be a different Ole in the changing room,” Ferdinand added on BT Sport. “That’s what you’d hope.

“He can be very cut throat, very cold with the things he used to say to players, but Manchester United need consistency. Big teams win 10, 15 games in a row.”

United’s defeat at Arsenal saw the side lose further ground in the race for the top four. Earlier in the day, Chelsea had been held by Brighton while Tottenham and Watford suffered defeats to Southampton and Wolves respectively.

Record signing Nicolas Pepe fired the Gunners ahead after eight minutes at the Emirates and Sokratis Papastathopoulos added a second before half-time.

It was a richly-deserved lead for the hosts and although United made changes early into the second period, Bernd Leno largely remained untroubled.