Lee Sharpe is confident Jim Ratcliffe will get Manchester United heading in the right direction.

INEOS CEO Ratcliffe purchased a 25% stake in the club last month with the British billionaire taking control of football operations from the Glazer family.

Manager Erik ten Hag has already hailed the lifelong United supporter, 71, as an "inspiration" after meeting with him last week.

And three-time Premier League winner Sharpe believes a sense of direction can provide the Dutch boss and his players with a boost after a disappointing campaign so far.

Sharpe, speaking on behalf of Fruity Slots, told LiveScore: "I think confidence is obviously not at its highest at the moment because of the way the results are going. 

"I think Jim Ratcliffe coming in is good for them to chat to players and chat to staff and tell them the plan and how good they're going to make the club again.

"The owners, the Glazers, have never stepped foot in the dressing room, I don't think, or mentioned anything about a plan.

"So it's amazing to give the manager a bit of support as well. I think it's all going in the right direction."

Give Ten Hag time

Ten Hag remains under pressure after a turbulent second season at the Theatre of Dreams.

The Red Devils have lost nine of their 20 Premier League games this term and languish in eighth place ahead of hosting fifth-placed Tottenham on Sunday.

But Sharpe — who was a key man in the early years of legendary boss Alex Ferguson's 27-year dynasty — believes Ten Hag should be afforded the benefit of the doubt for now.

He added: "I would guess that Erik ten Hag would be there until at least the end of the season. 

"I think they'll probably try and help him with a few players in this January window. 

"Once he's got a few senior players back, maybe they can get on a run of games together and get themselves into a Champions League spot. 

"But I certainly think that there will be a reassessment at the end of the season. 

"I think at the moment, giving a manager time and trying to build something would probably be more successful than changing the manager again."

Bright future

While United are far from the Premier League title-winning machine they were when Sharpe was at Old Trafford, he is pleased to see one part of their identity remain.

Sharpe, 52, made his United debut as a 17-year-old in 1988 after moving from Torquay and feels academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho, 19, and Kobbie Mainoo, 18, are the next future stars.

The ex-winger said: "It's superb. It's what Manchester United have always been about. You always knew as a young lad if you went to United you could possibly get a chance. 

"And I think we've known for a while about Garnacho. There were questions about his attitude at times but I think this season he's shown a great attitude.

"And then Mainoo's come in and looked like he's been in the team for 10 years. 

"His composure, his understanding of the game, his ball retention, his passing ability. I think he has been absolutely fantastic. He looks like an experienced senior pro."