Mourinho has made Man Utd 'slow, boring & dated', says Sharpe

Manchester United have become “slow, pragmatic, boring and dated” under Jose Mourinho, claims former Red Devils winger Lee Sharpe.

The Red Devils have won few admirers for their brand of football since seeing the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson slip into retirement.

David Moyes oversaw a humbling fall from grace, while Louis van Gaal was considered to be far too conservative for the Old Trafford faithful.

Mourinho has put United back into contention for major honours, but he too has been accused of favouring a defensive mindset which stands in stark contrast to the attacking philosophies being embraced at arch rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.

Sharpe told PA Sport on the club’s current position, with silverware having eluded them in 2017-18: "For me it was a pretty disappointing season and not entertaining enough.

"There are clubs with certain identities and United have never been a 1-0 team that sits back and rests on its laurels.

"You've got the blue side of Manchester under Pep [Guardiola], you've got Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool playing some of the best football in the league and United are playing slow, pragmatic, boring and even dated football.

"Maybe it's time Mourinho reassess things tactically.

Playing Surface/Getty

"He's been one of the most successful managers in the game over 10-12 years, trophies everywhere he's gone, so I can understand him saying, 'I'm doing it my way'.

"But times have changed and if it doesn't start well next season he could find himself under pressure from the fans."

Liverpool also ended the season empty-handed, having come unstuck in the Champions League final, but Sharpe feels the football on offer at Anfield will be making United supporters envious.

"Who wouldn't be?" added the ex-England international.

"Liverpool play on the front foot, they're entertaining, they're exciting and they score a load of goals.

"The play like we used to. They're not a team to settle on a 1-0 scoreline, they chase games. Yes, they'll give a couple of results away and concede goals but they're attack-minded and that's why they got to the Champions League final."