Ex-Arsenal Star angered by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer interview after Arsenal beat Man United

Robin van Persie was angered at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's post-match interview after Man United were beaten convincingly by Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta earned his first win as Gunners boss as Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners over United at the Emirates on New Year's Day.

First-half goals from Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis put the hosts into a commanding lead from which United were unable to recover.

Van Persie appeared as a pundit for the clash between his two former clubs, alongside ex-United defender Rio Ferdinand, and was critical of Solskjaer's demeanour after the defeat.

"When I listen to Ole, he sounds like a really nice guy," Van Persie said on BT Sport. "I would like to see him a bit more mean at times, just be angry.

United were completely outplayed by an Arsenal side who started the clash 13th in the table.

It was an opportunity missed for Solskjaer's men meanwhile, who failed to close the gap on the top four, and van Persie suggested the blame should lay at the manager's door.

"They need a gameplan and a bit of fear for the coach," he added. "You know if you don't make those runs or make that pass, you will be punished and you won't play the next game."

When asked if United players lacked fear, he replied: "Probably. By the looks of things, I think so."

Arsenal were full of confidence from the first whistle and pressed United into a number of forced errors.

They took the lead as early as the eighth minute when Mesut Ozil's cross was diverted into Pepe's path to fire into the bottom corner.

Sokratis then pounced on a rebound of David de Gea to thump a volley into the roof of the net just before half-time, which was no less than the hosts deserved.

Ferdinand said: " Manchester United got bullied. We used to come here and bully Arsenal, that was our intention before the game and they reversed that."

"The players on the ball were not looking forward for runners. That is demoralising for the forwards.

"Consistency is key, that is the biggest thing at the moment.

"When you have young players in the squad, that can happen. But they have to find it somehow.

"I watched them here last season and I thought they had a structure. But I didn't see any patterns or ideas today.

"They want to do well and are desperate to do well for Manchester United but it is not happening."

He added of Solskjaer: "He was cutting as a player, some of the things he would say, and I am sure he can be as a manager."