Former Manchester United star Lee Sharpe believes manager Erik ten Hag should be given more time, as Manchester United’s Champions League hopes hang by a thread.
Sharpe who made 193 appearances for Manchester United has called for patience, with ten Hag only in the job officially since May 2022.
“I think he is the right man for the job,” Sharpe stated.
Manchester United have been in fine form in the Premier League, but mistakes have cost them in their Champions League group. Sharpe says the situation should be looked at in May.
“I think you have to assess at the end of the season. They have changed managers nearly every year up until Ten Hag, so it is not done them any favours”, Sharpe said.
“I think recruitment needs to be looked at really closely and then reassess at the end of the season and see where they are at.
“I still think ten Hag should be the man to stay in charge.”
Manchester United host Bayern Munich in their final Champions League group game, with the German giants already through to the knockouts.
Sharpe believes this factor may make United’s uphill task a little easier.
“It’s still not over. If you are Munich, are you going to play a weakened team and give Man United the chance to go through and then possibly meet them somewhere down the line?”, he said.
“I’d say they’ll put a strong team out and try and make sure that Man United go out. It sort of works in Man United’s favour that Copenhagen and Galatasaray both have to go for a win, so neither team can sit back.
“It makes it interesting, but it just does put it out of their hands a little bit.”
Even if Manchester United do not finish second in the group, ten Hag’s side still have a chance to compete in the Europa League.
Sharpe is confident that failure in the Champions League, will not affect his position as manager.
“I think when ten Hag went in, I think it would have been a project that they would have seen as a two or three years before he even got to where he wanted to get to”, said the former United man.
“I don’t think he us even where he wants to be at the moment and I do not think it is worth changing managers at this time of the season and this time of his tenure.’
