Former Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe sat down exclusively with UtdDistrict to discuss his old club, where he spent eight years under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Lee Sharpe joined Manchester United from Torquay United in 1988 as a promising teenage winger and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young players in English football.
Blessed with flair, pace, and skill, he became a fan favourite, particularly during the early 1990s when Sir Alex Ferguson was building his first great United side. Sharpe played a key role in the club’s success, winning three Premier League titles, two FA Cups, a League Cup, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
His versatility allowed him to be used both on the left wing and occasionally at left-back. However, injuries and the emergence of Ryan Giggs curtailed his progress, limiting his long-term impact. By 1996, after 263 appearances and 36 goals, he moved to Leeds United.
Though his time at Old Trafford was ultimately overshadowed, Sharpe remains remembered for his flair and influence during United’s early 1990s resurgence.
UtdDistrict had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with Sharpe to discuss United, the current situation under head coach Rúben Amorim, and the future of some of the club’s key players.
Sharpe on Grimsby, goalkeepers, and Sir Alex Ferguson
United’s most recent result, a loss against League Two side Grimsby Town on penalties after a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes, is undoubtedly a low point of Amorim’s tenure.
“Frustrated” is the word Sharpe used, speaking to UtdDistrict on behalf of William Hill. “It was another frustrating night.
“It was nice to see some of the young lads getting a run out and minutes on the pitch, but you could see the lack of cohesion in the team, the lack of chances created, and too many chances given away to Grimsby. Again, another disappointing goalkeeper performance set the tone.”
André Onana did not have a positive evening in Lincolnshire, as the goalkeeper looked nervous from the first minute and was at fault for both goals conceded. When asked whether either Onana or fellow shot-stopper Altay Bayındır were good enough for a club like United, Sharpe’s response was crystal clear.
“I think we’re seeing proof in the pudding at the moment. They just seem to be making mistakes,” he said. “At a club like Manchester United, every mistake is exaggerated, and you don’t get away with it.
“Teams are loading the box on corners and free-kicks, knowing full well there’s a mistake in there. These are the tests the keepers have to face, but right now they keep making errors and gifting goals away, and teams are taking advantage.”
It was a performance that was rarely seen under Sir Alex Ferguson, but one that has become far too common since the legendary Scottish manager departed Old Trafford.
“He would have gone absolutely mental at a lot of them, no two ways about it,” Sharpe explained when asked how Sir Alex would have reacted to a performance such as the one against Grimsby.
“To go out to Grimsby is unacceptable. Yes, there were a couple of young lads playing for the first time, Šeško started, but there was enough experience and quality in that team to get the job done. Ferguson would have been furious.
“We saw changes at half-time, which I think he would have made as well. But when your goalkeeper throws one in early, you’re on the back foot straight away in a hostile environment. Grimsby grew into the game knowing they could get a result, and United just looked lacklustre.”
Sharpe speaks on Amorim, Fernandes, and “fantastic” Zirkzee
On a broader note, the futures of many of those currently at United remain in question. After a poor first three fixtures, Amorim’s future has been called into question. However, the former United winger has said the club should wait until Christmas to assess the head coach’s position.
“I don’t think he’ll feel out of his depth,” Sharpe said on Amorim. He’s a confident character, charismatic, and he knows what he wants. But I don’t know why it’s going so wrong.
“He’ll be on the training pitch, he knows the quality of players he’s got, and there are some very good ones. The goalkeeper situation is a major issue because you can’t keep conceding soft goals and expect to win. He’ll be disappointed after last night, but it’s part of the process.
“If they sack him now, who comes in to play the same system? They’ve just backed him with players suited to his style. I think he needs time, his signings need time, and maybe a couple more additions before the window closes. Let’s see where things stand around Christmas.”
Another Portuguese whose future looks unclear is Bruno Fernandes, with the club captain reportedly open to leaving next summer. The 30-year-old turned down a mega contract offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in June, but is reportedly open to leaving next summer.
“It’s a tempting offer for both the club and the player,” Sharpe said. “For the club, it’s a chance to get a big fee for a 30-year-old. For Bruno, at this stage of his career, it’s a huge personal payday.
“The dilemma is whether keeping him is restricting someone like Kobbie Mainoo from getting more minutes. If Bruno left, it could accelerate Mainoo’s development. Bruno has been outstanding at times – scoring goals, winning games, being the catalyst.
“But right now, he’s struggling: getting caught in possession, letting runners go. Maybe it is time for him to move on and let the new prodigy step up.”
With United’s creative and goalscorring issues still rife despite spending over £200 million on three new forwards, Sharpe also insisted that United must look to be playing 24-year-old striker Joshua Zirkzee every week.
“I’ve got a lot of time for Zirkzee – I think he’s a fantastic player,” Sharpe concluded. “He came on last night [against Grimsby] with about seven or eight minutes to go, which isn’t enough.
“He looked sharp, lively, and I wish he’d get more minutes. I’m not sure if he’s a full number nine or more of a number 10, but ability-wise, I’d love to see him in the starting XI every week.”
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