Hayters TV
·24 December 2024
Hayters TV
·24 December 2024
Former Manchester United player Lee Sharpe believes positive signs are coming from the Red Devils under new manager Ruben Amorim.
After the sacking of former manager Erik ten Hag, United were swift in their appointment of Amorim from Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon, with the former Benfica player arriving at Old Trafford during the November international break.
The 39-year-old has had a mixed start to his time at United, with impressive wins over Everton and Manchester City paired with disappointing league defeats against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest along with being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Tottenham.
Sharpe, who made 253 appearances for United during eight years in the 1980s and 90s, says he has been impressed with the impact Amorim has made in his short time at his former side, whilst acknowledging the difficult circumstances he has had to deal with so far.
“He looks really good, I think he speaks really well, I think he’s a very confident bloke,” Sharpe said when speaking to Hayters TV in association with William Hill.
“He seems a very bright man, doesn’t really go over emotional about certain situations and about decisions that he has to make.
“He’s brave in his decision-making. I think it’s been very difficult for him in the fact that he plays a different formation and he’s got players that are suited to other formations.
“He’s had players with injuries in and out of the team. He’s played different formations and different clientele every game I think so far. That’s another difficult thing for him.
“He’s making a lot of substitutions during games, quite early in games as well. But I think we see positive signs, but we do still see a little bit of the old Man United where they’re giving silly goals away, silly chances away, and it costs them games at times.”
United finished a disappointing eighth place last campaign, their lowest ever finish in the Premier League since its inception in 1992, and currently languish in 13th after losing to Bournemouth on the weekend.
Sharpe believes it will take time for United to return to the top of the Premier League under Amorim, citing the high level of quality amongst their opponents who are far better prepared than the record league champions are right now.
“I still think there’s quite a way to go for a consistent go at the top four and the top of the league. I think there are so many good teams out there now.
“Chelsea looks really strong going forward. I know they’re a young team so they will have little stuttering moments. Liverpool are yet, I suppose they’re just starting to have a little bit of a slip-up.
“City we can see are just on another level this year. No one knows what’s going to happen to them. Tottenham are up and down. Arsenal seem to drop points when you least expect it. But I just think it goes to show how stronger the Premier League is as well.
“I do think a couple of transfer windows, I think if you can get a couple of players in and out in January, I know it’s a difficult time in January because prices seem to be hiked up a little bit, and then maybe a bit of an overhaul in the summer.
“I think we’ll see good improvement next season and possibly the season after. and possibly the season after. We’ll see a go at the top four, top two.”