Jason Wilcox will step into Dan Ashworth’s role at Man United ahead of crucial January transfer window – as Red Devils weigh up potential executive appointment

Jason Wilcox has stepped into Dan Ashworth’s role at Manchester United going into the January transfer window following the club’s shock decision to sack their sporting director.

An email sent to staff on Wednesday made it clear that Wilcox, who has been United’s technical director since April, will fill Ashworth’s shoes for the time being and is the point of contact for the scouting department on any recruitment matters.

The club’s interim director of recruitment Christopher Vivell is also expected to take a more prominent role after Ashworth was axed by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe just five months into the job.

Mail Sport revealed that United will not target a like-for-like replacement for Ashworth – who was discussing deals as recently as last week – but could make another executive appointment.

Wilcox has led the talks with Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno over a deal worth around £3million for 17-year-old left-back Diego Leon. United have stepped up their pursuit amid interest from Manchester City and Arsenal.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team are weighing up whether to make another executive appointment

Amorim was asked about Ashworth’s departure after United landed in the Czech Republic on Wednesday for their Europa League tie against Viktoria Plzen.

‘One person leaving doesn’t change nothing,’ he said. ‘Since the first day I felt great support from the ownership; from Omar (Berrada) and Jason (Wilcox), and I really, really felt support from Dan also.

‘This is football. Sometimes it happens with players and it can happen with coaches. Of course, it’s a bad situation. We are talking about a human being, a professional, that supports us as a team. But I think the most important thing is the vision is really clear, and the vision doesn’t change if one person leaves.’

United are in 12th place in the Europa League table, one spot above Plzen, and Amorim urged his players to secure the top-eight finish that would mean avoiding a two-legged play-off.

‘For us, it’s massive,’ he added. ‘We’re facing a team a lot of people don’t know, but they’re unbeaten at home in Europe.

‘It’s really important to go to the next stage, and we need to win tomorrow because of all of that. If you pass to the next stage without a play-off, we take (away) two games.’