Dan Ashworth ‘LEAVES his role as Man United’s sporting director after just five months’

Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth has left his role after just five months, according to reports. 

Ashworth officially began work at Old Trafford on July 1 after a lengthy period of gardening leave at his former club Newcastle United.

However, his shock departure is said to have been agreed in a meeting with United CEO Omar Berrada after last night’s defeat by Nottingham Forest.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United’s part-owner, was reportedly pivotal in the decision although sources have told The Athletic that the club instigated the exit.

United say the agreement to rip up Ashworth’s contract was mutual. 

Ashworth, 53, was appointed to oversee football performance and recruitment at the club and reported to Berrada, a recent arrival from Manchester City.

In turn, Jason Wilcox, United’s technical director, worked under Ashworth as part of the new-look hierarchy implemented by Ratcliffe. 

Ashworth was involved in the Red Devils’ £200million spending spree during the summer with Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee also recruited as part of the substantial outlay.

He was subsequently quoted in the statements confirming each signing.

Ashworth was also part of the executive team that made the decision to hand Erik ten Hag a new contract and then sack him just a matter of months later.

His appointment at United came at the end of painstaking negotiations with Newcastle. Ashworth informed the Tyneside club that he wanted to move to Old Trafford in February and was reportedly open to taking them to arbitration. 

Initially, Newcastle had demanded around £20m in compensation, although a compromise worth between £2m to £3m was eventually thrashed out.

‘Dan Ashworth is clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world,’ Ratcliffe said in February. ‘I have no doubt he is a very capable person. 

‘He is interested in Manchester United because it’s the biggest challenge at the biggest club in the world. It would be different at City because you’re maintaining a level. Here it’s a significant rebuilding job. He would be a very good addition.’

Ashworth joined Newcastle after resigning from his technical director role at Brighton in February 2022. He previously held the same post with the Football Association. 

More to follow.