Exclusive:Lee Sharpe admits 'surprise' following Leeds United's win over Manchester United as trio lauded
Lee Sharpe’s reaction to Leeds United’s 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford and praise for a Whites trio
Lee Sharpe watched two of his former clubs collide when Leeds United visited Manchester United and like the latter, was left surprised.
Leeds were two goals to the good inside the opening half an hour at Old Trafford, racing into the lead courtesy of a Noah Okafor brace.
Manchester United lost Lisandro Martinez to a red card in the second half and a Casemiro header proved to be a mere consolation, as the Whites held on for a 2-1 victory.
The hosts appeared incapable of handling Leeds’ intensity, seemingly caught off-guard by the aggressive and front-footed nature of the Yorkshire club’s approach.
Lee Sharpe’s verdict
Sharpe, who left the Red Devils for the Whites in 1996, told The Yorkshire Post via Premier League betting site BetWright: “I was very surprised at how good Leeds looked and how poor Man United started, and how poor Leeds made Man United look.
“They came out very organised, very high tempo. it could have been 2-0, 3-0, very early on.”
Praise for Leeds United trio
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has not registered a league goal since early February but his importance to manager Daniel Farke was again underlined.
He missed chances but was an effective focal point, refusing to give Manchester United’s creaky defence a moment of peace.
The England international was supported by Okafor and Brenden Aaronson and Sharpe reserved praise for the attacking trio.
He said: “Calvert-Lewin led the line brilliantly, and then Okafor and Aaronson as sort of wide players coming in and supporting, looked amazing. They were very strong at the back and dominated for big periods in that first half. I thought they looked really good.”
Leeds United looking ahead
Leeds now sit six points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, which Tottenham Hotspur have dropped into. Wolverhampton Wanderers remain rock-bottom and Burnley are still occupying 19th place. Between 15th-placed Leeds and the drop zone are Nottingham Forest and West Ham United.
Farke’s men will return to action on Saturday (April 18), hosting Wolves at Elland Road, before making a midweek trip to AFC Bournemouth on April 22. Attention will then turn to the FA Cup, with the Whites set to face Chelsea in a semi-final showdown at Wembley on April 26.