Lee Sharpe talks exclusively to William Hill

Ex Manchester United and Leeds winger Lee Sharpe talks exclusively to William Hill about Manchester United’s season and what the future holds for the Club now INIOS have taken control of the Football side. Lee Sharpe also shares details of his ups and downs of his playing career at Manchester United and the teammates he was close too. With Leeds United play-off final this weekend, Sharpe shares his preview to the game and also key players who he expects to play a major part in the final.

Lee Sharpe on his time at Manchester United, relationship with the players and Manager

I spent a lot of time with Giggsy in my early days at Manchester United. He got me into a bit too much trouble, so then I spent a lot of time with Gary Pallister and Roy Keane for a while. Also, Dion Dublin I spent time with when he was at Manchester United. We were all single lads so spent time together during that time.

I had no fall outs at all, I got on with all the lads whilst at Manchester United. I’m a lover not a fighter. I had no reason to fall out with the lads. We had a great group of lads.
My relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson changed from not long after joining Manchester United. He was very aggressive about things that were going on, on the pitch and off the pitch. Every micro part of my game on and off the pitch he had a go at. So, ultimately, we just didn’t see eye to eye in anything I don’t think.

Lee Sharpe on the FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Manchester United.

How do I see this one going? If Manchester City aren’t 2 or 3 nil up quickly then Manchester United can grow into the game. If they can take their chances and stay in the game, then they can nick a 2-1 win whether it be in 90 minutes or after extra time.

Lee Sharpe on what happens for Manchester United after the FA Cup Final

I believe INIOS have made up their mind irrespective of what happens this weekend in the FA Cup Final. There are plenty of injuries that Manchester United have had this season and this needs to be addressed as you need a fully fit squad to compete and give the Manager the best chance of success to work with his squad. The analysis that INIOS have undertaken I am sure will cover the squad, players, tactics and the way the team is set up, training methods as well. With no real suitable candidates to take over that I can see, it’s now up to INIOS in the direction they want to take the playing side of the club forward.

Lee Sharpe on Casemiro

Casemiro was good last season, he impressed everyone, but this season he seems to have lost a bit of pace, which at this level is crucial. His decision making is slower than it should be. Injuries hasn’t helped as well, and you’ll have to look at his stats in training to see if he can get back to his best. I don’t see him being a regular starter next season and with the age and position, he may not want to be a squad player, so it may be a mutual decision to let him go and get a younger player to come in.

Lee Sharpe on Marcus Rashford’s form

I’m in two minds on whether he should say. I don’t know where his head is at. He has had injuries, form has been all over the place, but he has quality and if he wants to push in a shift, then he should stay and show what he can do because he has shown in the past he has top quality. He needs to show his heart is in the club. If his head has been turned, then fine, he should go elsewhere to play his football

He can return to form but it’s been a tough season for him, and he must get his head right as the evidence on the pitch is that he is not performing anywhere near the best he can. He is such a talented player, he needs to be on his game and we’ve seen what a great player he can be. But something isn’t right now and if his head has been turned, then it’s best for him to leave, but if he can rediscover the previous form then he can get back to his best.

Lee Sharpe’s overview of season 23/24 for Manchester United and what’s next

This season has been disappointing, there is no hiding that. It’s been a frustrating watch, the stats don’t lie, the number of defeats, the number of chances opponents have got injuries have been big for Manchester United this season. No real settled back four has been a problem. INIOS must identify what went wrong this year and have a vision of how they can improve. You look at the overall squad, is it good enough? Injuries have played a massive part.

Why are so many players getting injured? Training: are fitness levels good enough? Are players working hard enough? Are they training too hard? Tactics: Are the tactics right for the current team that Ten Hag is putting out? So many questions need to be answered and once INIOS have these, they can look to either back the manager or go in a different direction. With no ideal candidate, it will come down to the direction of INIOS and then looking to secure a manager who can deliver against the way they want to play. It maybe Ten Hag. We will likely find out after this weekend.

Lee Sharpe on potential candidates should Erik Ten Hag be relieved of his duties

I don’t think there are any stand out candidates as it stands. De Zerbi did a brilliant job for Brighton last season securing a European place. This season, with injuries, like Manchester United, they have struggled to hit the heights of last season. So, for me there are doubts about him. To caveat this, De Zerbi does play attractive football. Thomas Tuchel has doubts given the way he left Chelsea and also Bayern. However, he has won the Champions League so you can’t knock that. But ultimately, it’s down to INIOS and the way they want to take the Club forward. They have to look at the squad, why so many injuries, the training set up, also the way that they believe they want Manchester United to play. After this, you can then look at who can lead the team forward.

Lee Sharpe on Archie Gray’s season at Leeds United

I’ve been very impressed with Archie’s season for Leeds United. What a good head on young shoulders. He has come into the side and done well. Nothing seems to faze him and the future is very bright. He has the right attitude to succeed and with a good family behind him, he can do well.

Lee Sharpe’s prediction for Leeds v Southampton in the play-off final.

It’s a tough one to call this one. Two good sides with match winners who can make the difference. But I must go with my heart and say 3-1 to Leeds. Leeds will be 2-1 up and then with Southampton chasing the game, Leeds can get one on the counter attack late on. Summerville will play a big part in the game and on the big stage Dan James is a player to watch this weekend.

Lee Sharpe on Leeds United keeping Daniel Farke if they miss promotion.

Absolutely yes. You can’t keep changing managers and Farke has done a top job this year. Leeds only just missed out on automatic promotion, and you need consistency to drive long term success. Farke has a proven he can succeed at this level and must be given another shot at promotion if Leeds don’t make it. Some good young players are coming through and some players may have to leave, but I would be very confident, if Leeds don’t make it, they go up next year.
Leeds United shouldn’t be worried for next season if they don’t get promoted even with Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United as Farke is a top manager. Leeds got 90 points this season, they have a strong home support and can always benefit from this. They have a set of good young players who will go again and give their all next season, if they don’t get promotion. Given the three teams didn’t fair too well in the Premier League, Leeds have nothing to fear and with Farke they can go up automatically, if don’t get promoted.