Former Manchester United midfielder Lee Sharpe predicts Jose Mourinho will be sacked before Christmas

Former Manchester United midfielder Lee Sharpe has predicted that manager Jose Mourinho will be sacked before the festive period, as he lamented the dour attitude that the Portuguese has brought to the club.

Sharpe, who made more than 200 appearances for United from 1988 to 1996, told Sky Sports: “I am expecting the manager to get sacked before Christmas. If he is going to continue with this dourness and this moaning, then people will turn around and say this attitude is not getting us to the top so we need to change it.”

Sharpe believes that Mourinho is unmindful of the criticism he is receiving, and that he has fostered a negative attitude which is embodied by his team.

“As much as the press and fans have been on Jose Mourinho’s case about the negativity over the past few seasons and him moaning about players he has and has not got, he just seems to ignore everybody and carry on as usual. He looks fed up and it is reflecting in his team’s performances. He is playing negative stuff.”

United suffered a 3-2 defeat away at Brighton on Sunday, a performance that would no doubt have reinforced Sharpe’s belief that Mourinho’s tactics are currently conducive to sub-par performances.

“I don’t think he is getting the best from the players. This team has some unbelievable attacking players but I don’t think they are on the front foot enough, I don’t think they are playing at a quick enough tempo and I don’t think they move the ball enough. They give teams a chance to get back and get organised.

“It is a shame that he wants to play the way he wants to play. It didn’t work last year against a rampant Manchester City and if things aren’t working you have to learn from your mistakes and change something. He needs to change but he just seems to be too stubborn to alter his approach.”

The former Leeds winger has not only been left disillusioned by his on-field management, but also questioned the Portuguese’s conduct off the field by comparing him to United’s greatest.

“One of the things you respected about Sir Alex Ferguson is that he kept things in house. It was done in his office and the dressing room. Nothing ever went to the press in terms of issues he had with players. I think Mourinho could do with taking a leaf out of his book and using that. Nobody digs out their players in public. He is hanging them out to dry.”

Paul Pogba has been no stranger to open criticism from his manager and the more averse treatment he is receiving from the Portuguese may be preventing him from replicating the performances he puts on with his national team, according to Sharpe.

“It is horses for courses and you treat people accordingly. Paul Pogba is a special talent, a special individual and a special character. It might be different to how you treat other people but you have to do what you have to do to get the best from him.

“That’s what everybody wants to see, the Paul Pogba who rips everyone to shreds for France. It doesn’t happen enough at United. I don’t know why that is. Is it Mourinho? Does he put too many restrictions on him? Does he put him under too much pressure? I’m not sure but it needs to be sorted out for United to have any chance this season.

“If you look at City, they have come back flying and Liverpool have done the same. It is going to be hard enough as it is this season to be successful so the last thing you need is for people in your own camp to be making it that bit harder and heavier than it needs to be.”