Mikel Silvestre has called for former Manchester United teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be more “cut-throat” and show his ruthless streak.
The Frenchman has spoken up following comments made by former United pair Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand after the Red Devils snatched a late point in their Champions League clash with Atalanta.
When discussing Paul Pogba, the BT Sport duo accused the United midfielder of “taking liberties” and claimed he needs a strict, experienced head to constantly keep him focused and on track.
United manager Solskjaer has found himself under intense pressure of late with a damning 5-0 defeat to fierce rivals damning 5-0 defeat to fierce rivals Liverpool leading to many questioning his ability to manage at the highest level.
Former Red Devil Silvestre has now urged Solskjaer, who earned the nickname of the “baby-faced assassin” during in his playing days, to show his ruthless streak in order to get the best out of Pogba and his Manchester United squad.
“I wouldn’t use the word ‘nasty’ but if he has to cut someone’s throat, he will do it. And that’s the responsibility of a leader,” Silvestre told City A.M. when discussing Solskjaer.
“There were times when key players were benched, and he won’t hesitate to do that because United is above everybody and himself. He will protect the club as much as he can.”
Silvestre, who played alongside the former Norwegian striker at United for eight years, added that he feels his former teammate receives a lot of unfair criticism due to his mild-mannered temperament.
“He hasn’t changed a bit. He was in the dressing room a very nice and friendly person so he is sticking to what he knows and the way he believes,” Silvestre added.
“Sadly, the media wants outbursts, they want punchlines, and he’s not one of those. So maybe people are getting bored.”
HAVE YOUR SAY! Can Ole Gunnar Solskjaer get the best out of Paul Pogba? the BT Sport duo accused the United midfielder of “taking liberties” and claimed he needs a strict, experienced head to constantly keep him focused and on track.
Solskjaer faces the unenviable task of hoping to overcome Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City as the two rival teams meet in the first Manchester derby of the season this Saturday.
The Norwegian manager will be without French World Cup winner Pogba for City’s visit as he serves the second of his three-match ban following a red card in United’s humiliating defeat to Liverpool.
Much speculation currently surrounds Pogba with him yet to agree a new contract at Old Trafford meaning he could depart for free next summer.
After calls from Scholes and Ferdinand for a senior United figure to constantly motivate Pogba to avoid his performance levels dropping, it appears United boss Solskjaer could be just the man to do so if he can channel his “cut-throat” streak.
Scholes told BT Sport: “Pogba needs someone talking to him all the time. He needs someone on to him. He needs someone there who he totally respects. He needs experienced players behind him.
“How old is he, 28? He’s one of those players where he’ll get to 35 doing the same stupid stuff. People know it they see it every day. The biggest thing with Paul is his concentration; he is away with the fairies all the time.”
