Revealed: Why Dan Ashworth left his job as Man United’s sporting director after just five months

Dan Ashworth left his job as the sporting director of Manchester United after just five months as both parties agreed he was not a good ‘fit’ for the club.

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 today is said to have been finalised in a meeting with United CEO Omar Berrada after last night’s defeat by Nottingham Forest. 

There is not believed to have been a row but it was clear to all parties that the relationship was not working and Ashworth was not the fit club chiefs had hoped it would be.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United’s part-owner, was reportedly pivotal in the decision.

United are not thought to be searching for a replacement at this stage. 

There is not believed to have been a row but it was clear to all parties that the relationship was not working

United say the agreement to rip up Ashworth’s contract was mutual – sharing the following statement: ‘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.’

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. 

United CEO Omar Berrada reportedly agreed the departure in a meeting with Ashworth

Ashworth was involved in a summer spending spree which saw the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui arrive

He was also snapped with Bruno Fernandes after his contract extension was announced

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. 

Ratcliffe brutally described United as a ‘mediocre’ club paying the price for ‘very poor’ recruitment in a bombshell interview with fanzine United We Stand. 

‘The club has drifted for a long period of time, a decade or so. Manchester United has become mediocre,’ Ratcliffe said.

‘It’s not elite and it is supposed to be one of the best football clubs in the world. 

‘That’s what it used to be under Alex [Ferguson]. There is major change to come to achieve elite status. 

Ashworth joined United from Newcastle after protracted negotiations spanning several weeks

United couldn’t find the much-needed equaliser in a 3-2 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest

‘But already there has been huge change at this club.’

Ratcliffe has also been left astounded by how out of touch United have been become with data analysis in comparison to their rivals.

‘Until we’re are as good as anyone in the world, then it’s not good enough for Manchester United. We must have the best recruitment in the world,’ he added.

‘Data analysis comes alongside recruitment. It doesn’t really exist here. We’re still in the last century on data analysis here.’