Revealed: Dan Ashworth was brutally axed by Man United after attending Forest defeat with his family as sporting director leaves just FIVE MONTHS after joining

Manchester United have ruthlessly axed Dan Ashworth after just 159 days as the club’s sporting director.

Ashworth was informed of the club’s decision by chief executive Omar Berrada in the wake of Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.

Mail Sport understands that Ashworth was at the game with his family before he was summoned from the directors’ box to a meeting with Berrada who delivered the news.

United released a statement on Sunday which read: ‘Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as sporting director of Manchester United by mutual agreement.

‘We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future.’

Although the decision was said to be mutual, it is understood to have been made by Ratcliffe and Brailsford in consultation with co-owner Joel Glazer.

Ashworth was informed of the club’s decision by chief executive Omar Berrada on Saturday 

Ashworth’s sacking came after Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford

Ashworth spent roughly the same time in the job as he did on gardening leave at Newcastle after United approached their Premier League rivals about taking him to Old Trafford in February.

The 53-year-old started work at United on July 1 after the two clubs agreed a compensation figure of around £3m. United will now have to give Ashworth a pay-off, although it’s understood that the figure will be lower because he has been in the job for less than six months.

United are not thought to be currently seeking a replacement with just a few weeks to go until the transfer window opens. Technical director Jason Wilcox and interim director of recruitment Christopher Vivell could both assume more responsibility in the short-term, and would also be contenders to take on the role of sporting director permanently.

United sources said that Ashworth’s departure was ‘a very difficult decision’ for both parties, adding that the former FA director of football had conducted himself with decency and integrity throughout his time at the club.

But they admitted that new co-owners Ineos have been putting together a leadership team at pace and are still learning about the process, fuelling suspicions that Ashworth did not fit into the new structure put together by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford.

Mail Sport understands there were concerns that Ashworth, who was based at the club’s Carrington training base, wasn’t making enough cuts to the football department as part of a wide-ranging economy drive by Ineos.

There are also claims that he was not totally behind the recent appointment of Ruben Amorim as new head coach, preferring an Englishman such as Gareth Southgate or Graham Potter.

United sources said that Ashworth’s departure was ‘a very difficult decision’ for both parties

There are suspicions that Ashworth did not fit into the new structure put together by Sir Jim Ratcliffe (pictured) and Sir Dave Brailsford.

Ratcliffe had previously described Ashworth as a ‘10/10 sporting director, one of the best around’, but his comments to fanzine United We Stand on Saturday are even more significant in hindsight.

‘There is major change to come to achieve elite status,’ warned the Ineos billionaire. ‘If you shy away from the difficult decisions, then nothing much is going to change.

‘Manchester United must have the best recruitment in the world. You can’t just flick a light switch and sort out recruitment. It’s all about people and we need to find the right ones.’