Lee Sharpe on Casemiro, Baleba and why Amad is struggling with Amorim's formation

AceOdds talked to former Man United star Lee Sharpe, who shared his opinion on some key Man United players including Carlos Baleba, who was linked to the club during the summer.

Man United had a catastrophic 2024/2025 campaign, and things didn't improve when Amorim took charge of the squad. The Portuguese manager has faced a lot of criticism, and now former Man United player Lee Sharpe explains that players have struggled to fit into the system, particularly Amad who has suffered under the formation that Amorim plays.

Another player who has received criticism is the veteran Casemiro, but Sharpe is not quite ready to let go of the Brazilian. However, he does see Baleba as a great addition to the midfield if they can negotiate the price a bit with Brighton.

Casemiro is still a top class player

Casemiro arrived as a massive star at Man United from Real Madrid, but some people argue the age has caught up with the Brazilian, however Sharpe believes he is still a top class player.

"I think Casemiro improved a lot at the end of last season. He got fitter or changed something didn't he? He looked a different player to the end of last season to what he did at the start."

"He's still a top class player. He sees things early, breaks things up really well. I think he would be a good player to play alongside Kobbie (Mainoo) but I do think they need someone else in there to help him. Whether it's a centre-half who has to come in, or a full-back who comes in or one of the 10s that drops in."

Sharpe adds that Casemiro and Mainoo would be an ideal pairing on the midfield, and adds that he would pick Casemiro over Ugarte.

"I think Casemiro and Kobbie would be a good pairing but you can't play a two against three or like City who played a tight four. They just get outnumbered and bypassed so easily."

"I think Casemiro is the holding player who'll allow Kobbie to advance and do more in the final third. It would be a great pairing. It's just where you fit in Bruno Fernandes in all of that. I would probably pick Casemiro over Ugarte."

The price for Baleba is too high

Carlos Baleba has quickly established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, and Man United were trying to convince the Cameroonian midfielder to join in the summer, but in the end Sharpe believes the demand from Brighton was too high.

“I think the price was just too high. He would be a great signing for the club. He’s got legs and energy. He can take the ball in midfield, look after it well and can carry it from defence to attack. He would have been an ideal player for Manchester United and him and Kobbie Mainoo in midfield would have been ideal.”

Sharpe continues by revealing how he spoke to some people from Brighton, who believes Baleba`s value will only increase.

“I wonder if the talk and links to Manchester United has thrown his season off or distracted him. I was speaking to someone from Brighton recently and they were saying they want to keep him for another year because they think he can be worth more at the end of this season so they were in no rush to sell him.”

Amad has suffered under Amorim

Amad Diallo was one of few players to stand out at the beginning of last season, but he changed position after the arrival of Ruben Amorim, which has made the Ivorian star suffer according to Sharpe.

"When you're a winger playing wing-back, having to defend from your corner flag, it takes a little bit out of you to go and do it at the other end as well."

"He was our best player going forward for early parts of our last season but then he had that injury. I don't think it's great for someone like him to play No. 10, then wing-back, then somewhere else. It throws you off your rhythm a little bit."

"He's a wide player, so it's very difficult to tuck in as a No. 10. It's not doing him any favours. He's definitely suffered under Amorim's formation."

Sharpe believes Amad should be given another role than a wingback, as he can`t produce what he used to do on the final third.

"His work rate is phenomenal. That's not a problem. I think his best place is the final third, going past people, driving at them. I think playing him as a wing-back, he doesn't get to do as often as he should do."

It appears Amorim will not change his style of play so if his players cannot adapt, it could cost him his job. Bookmakers have him as the third favourite to get sacked next behind Graham Potter and Unai Emery. One embarrassing defeat could be curtains for either man and some tough fixtures this weekend could provide a good opportunity to cash in on some free bets using our bet365 bonus code.

Read more as Lee Sharpe questions the future of Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United