Former Manchester United midfielder Lee Sharpe has criticised the club's football under Louis van Gaal and says that the former Premier League champions are now so dull that watching them makes him change the television channel.

Sharpe scored 36 goals in 259 appearances for the Red Devils between 1988 and 1996, winning three Premier League titles and two FA Cups in his time at the club.

However, he lamented the way United's style of football has changed under Van Gaal and said that although the Dutchman is not doing a bad job in terms of league position, the team has lost the entertainment factor that it used to boast.

"They are near the top and he is not doing a bad job, it is just a shame that the play is so dull," the 44-year-old told 888sport.com. "They are still getting results and challenging for the title which is what he wants after finishing top four last season, but for me he is not giving the players a lot of freedom.

"I generally watch what I think will be entertaining games with two attack-minded passing teams. Obviously United used to come under that, there were always goals and chances. I now find myself flicking the telly over and doing something else for 10 minutes.

"As an attack-minded player, it was very frustrating to know that you sometimes did not have the freedom to express yourself. It does deter your own game."

United are third in the Premier League table, but have scored fewer goals than six of the other nine clubs in the top 10.