DAN ASHWORTH has left Manchester United following talks about a deal last night.
The sporting director’s shock departure comes after just five months at Old Trafford.
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Dan Ashworth left Man Utd after just five months Credit: PA
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe played a big part in the boardroom shakeup Credit: Alamy
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Ashworth was involved in the club’s summer transfer window and the decision to keep – and then sack – Erik ten HagCredit: Getty
SunSport exclusively revealed three weeks ago how United’s new hierarchy are embroiled in a recrimination over their summer dealings.
Ashworth joined the club in July after a long spell away from the Garden after leaving Newcastle.
The 53-year-old was appointed by Man Utd to oversee “performance, recruitment and operations”, with the Red Devils agreeing to pay £3m in compensation to the Toon.
But after discussing a showdown with chief executive Omar Berrada following last night’s 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest, Ashworth resigned by mutual consent.
A club statement said: “Dan Ashworth will be stepping down from his role as Manchester United’s sporting director by mutual consent.
“We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during the transfer window for the club and wish him all the best for the future.”
The Athletic claim that Sir Jim Ratcliffe was instrumental in calling for the split.
Ashworth played a big part in United’s £183m summer spending spree during the first transfer window under Ineos.
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The club signed Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs De Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui.
Ashworth was also involved in the decision to initially keep Erik ten Hag and hand him a new contract, only to have him sacked just 14 games later.
Inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans to replace Old Trafford with the ‘Wembley of the North’
The former FA boss, who is credited with creating “England’s DNA”, was quoted in statements confirming each signing.
But we haven’t heard from him about the axing of Ten Hag or the appointment of Ruben Amorim.
Ashworth’s departure came as a huge shock to many, with one fan saying: “Man Utd waited longer to get Ashworth out of Newcastle than he lasted at work. Crazy.”
Another added: “Absolutely embarrassing and the amount of time and money to secure him. The direction of the club should be based on structure and at the moment that seems uncertain. Half-life.”
But others defended the decision, commenting: “If someone’s not working, then get rid of them. There’s no point in keeping someone if they’re not working.”
Ratcliffe previously called Ashworth “clearly one of the best sporting directors in the world”.
But he suggested yesterday that United are still miles behind where they should be when it comes to transfers.
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United chiefs were at war over their summer spending Credit: Getty
Ratcliffe said: “We haven’t been good enough in recruitment, you’d probably agree with that. Everyone would agree with that.
“And until we’re as good as anybody in the world, then it’s not good enough for Manchester United.
“We have to have the best recruiting in the world. Data analysis comes with recruiting. It doesn’t really exist here. We’re still in the last century here when it comes to data analysis.
“There’s a huge amount of useful data we can get from data analysis, and we’re in the ‘very bad’ data analysis group here.
“These things don’t happen overnight. You can’t just flip a light switch and get hiring done. It’s all about people and we have to find the right people.”
Who is Dan Ashworth?
DAN ASHWORTH is a true football man who has progressed through the playing ranks all the way from player to club director.
He never reached the top as a player, but played for numerous non-league sides and in the USA.
After hanging up his boots, he quickly moved into the back room, landing his first job in Peterborough.
His big success came at West Brom, before moving to the Three Lions where he was instrumental in creating the ‘England DNA’.
Two spells at Premier League clubs followed before Man Utd swooped in the summer.
So what’s next for Ashworth?
READ HIS WHOLE STORY HERE:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/25099220/who-dan-ashworth/
As for Amorim, he said in his first press conference after joining last month that he wanted him to have the final say on transfers.
He explained: “Everyone has to work together and for that we have to improve the recruitment process, the data, the profile of the players we want.
“But I have to be firm about it because I’m the coach. I know how to play, so I think it’s all together, but the manager should have the last word.
“Not only because it’s your right, but your responsibility. Because, at the end of the day, the result is on me, so I think it all comes together to improve the hiring process.
“I have a big responsibility when we choose the players because it is something that should be done this way. I am the manager, the head coach, so I have to choose the players.”
When Ashworth’s departure from Newcastle and arrival at United was finally secured, he said: “This remains one of the biggest football clubs in the world, but that is not our measure of success; the focus is on getting back among the best on the pitch. .
“It won’t happen overnight, but together with Omar and his new leadership, we won’t stop until we get it.
“Although I grew up in Norfolk, I have always had a strong attachment to Manchester as my mum and dad were born in Middleton and my grandparents lived there all their lives.
“When I was visiting as a boy, my dad would take me to games all over Greater Manchester and I remember the excitement of my first visit to Old Trafford in the late 1970s, watching players like Lou Macari, Jimmy Nicholl and Arthur Albiston.
“I can’t claim to have been a partisan United supporter – my dad enjoyed watching all the local teams – but I do remember the special buzz that always surrounded matches at Old Trafford, something I’ve experienced many times over my football career.”
United’s summer transfers
Arrivals:
- Leny Yoro (Lille) – £52 million
- Manuel Ugarte (PSG) – £50 million
- Matthijs De Ligt (Bayern) – £43 million
- Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna) – £36.5m
- Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern) – £16 million
- Sekou Kone (Guidars) – £1 million
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