Lee Sharpe talks exclusively to William Hill
Former Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe spoke exclusively to William Hill about the start to the season for Manchester United and looks at Head Coach Ruben Amorim’s future and where Manchester United must improve on the pitch to compete better in the Premier League.
Ruben Amorim…does he stay or go?
Lee: The Board have backed him, so it’s a difficult one for sure. He does need to get results now. I like him as a man, I see his intentions, but it must now result in getting results on the pitch.
The new players are settling in, but Man Utd need a new Goalkeeper for sure. You can’t concede a goal a game from a Goalkeeper mistake and expect to win games. He is trying to play a certain way and bring in players to suit.
So, if you let him go and bring in a manager who plays 4 at the back, then this can also be an issue.
Ruben Amorim didn’t get a new manager bounce. What could be the reason for this?
Lee: I don’t know and don’t have the answer. It shouldn’t be going wrong with the talent in the squad. There is now plenty of good players at Man Utd to win games regularly.
Regarding the system, I don’t think it’s working. But you have been backed to bring in players to suit a system, so it is now time to start delivering with results. The players need to be accountable as well.
Looking at Andre Onana, give us your assessment of him as Man Utd Goalkeeper
Lee: He has to be replaced. Man Utd have to get a new Goal Keeper in before the transfer window ends. You can’t keep conceding goals from an error and expect to win games.
It is now time to move him on for both parties and bring in a new goal keeper. It just hasn’t worked for him or Man Utd.
Do you believe there are issues inside the club that aren’t being shared externally?
Lee: Not at all. As I said, I like Amorim, he is a likely guy, you can see what he is trying to do but the message seems to not be getting across to the players on the pitch to deliver winning performances.
The new players are of top quality in Mbuemo, Cunha and Sesko. All three of them have come to Man Utd with excellent seasons last year, so they now need to bring this on the pitch to Manchester United.
Kobbie Mainoo apparently wants 200k a week and it seems he could leave the Club, What’s your view?
Lee: I want Mainoo to stay and it’s very tough for him right now. He is still so very young, with big ability and he is going up against the club captain for a place in the team.
For me I would have Mainoo in that holding role for Man Utd instead of Bruno and whether Bruno plays further up the pitch or with the offer it seems form Saudi, he could then move on, which could then bring in a good transfer fee to be able to bring in a new Goal Keeper which is what the club needs. Mainoo has so much ability, he has shown this already and you need home grown players in the team.
If Ruben was to leave, who would you bring in? Some United fans want Solskjaer back…
Lee: It’s a case of giving Amorim time now with this squad and then looking to get the new players to really gel and perform on the pitch
Its still very early, you have spent a lot of money on Sesko, Cunha and Mbuemo so give them time to do what the Manager is trying to achieve on the pitch.
How long will it take to turn things around?
Lee: It will take time for sure. The top teams are way above Man Utd right now, but smart recruitment and confidence can then help Man Utd move up the table and forward.
They are behind these other top teams in the Premier League, but football goes in cycles and Man Utd have to now to focus on catching up.
