Lee Sharpe names three players who are 'carrying' Man Utd amid change in form

Former Manchester United star Lee Sharpe has issued his verdict on some of his old team's most important players this season. It has been a difficult campaign for Erik ten Hag and his men, who were hoping to kick on from a top four finish last season.

Instead, another poor start ensued, and United are playing catch up as they look to secure European qualification of some sort this season. In fact, they head into this weekend's clash with fourth place Aston Villa no fewer than eight points off the pace, but they can make up some ground with a win.

United spent significantly in the summer, with young striker Rasmus Hojlund arriving on a big-money deal, and the Dane is starting to show real signs of progress after a predictably difficult start as he adjusted to a new league and new surroundings.

But it's not just the striker who is behind United's upturn in form, with youngsters Kobbie Mainoo returning from injury with a bang, while Alejandro Garnacho continues to take huge leaps in his development. “If Rasmus Hojlund, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho stay fit and Man United look after them – keep a couple of experienced players and sign some superstars to go alongside them – I don’t see why the club in the future can’t be built around them,” Sharpe has told instantcasino.com.

He added: “They’re already producing man of the match performances week in, week out at such a young age – they’re taking all the accolades at the moment between the three of them. I know it’s just a short period of time and we don’t want to get too overexcited and too carried away, but these three aren’t just carrying the team at the moment – they’re carrying the club! It shows that Erik ten Hag is comfortable with putting young players into the starting XI, which is what the club has always been about. The future certainly looks bright with those three at the club.”