Manchester United has made an approach to Dan Ashworth, the current sporting director of Newcastle, regarding a potential move to the club.
Ashworth shares a longstanding association with Sir Dave Brailsford, who serves as the head of sport at Ineos. Negotiations regarding compensation between the two clubs have not yet commenced.
Should an agreement be reached, it would mark another significant development for Ineos, whose impending acquisition of a 25% stake in Manchester United is poised for confirmation early next week.
Reports suggest that Ashworth is enthusiastic about the prospect of joining Old Trafford, having cultivated a relationship with Brailsford during his tenure at the Football Association (FA).
Furthermore, alongside Brailsford and Jean Claude Blanc assuming positions on the football club board, they have collaborated with the Glazer family to recruit Omar Berrada from Manchester City as the new chief executive. Berrada is currently on gardening leave and is anticipated to assume his role in the summer.
Similar to his transition from Brighton to Newcastle in 2022, Ashworth is likely to be subject to a period of leave as part of the process.
The 52-year-old is widely regarded as one of the premier football directors in the industry, notably contributing to England’s remarkable achievements at the youth level in 2017, clinching victories in both the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups.
Subsequently, he played a pivotal role in Brighton’s ascent in the Premier League, facilitating the appointment of Graham Potter as manager following the dismissal of Chris Hughton.
Should the deal materialize, Ashworth is poised to wield considerable influence at United.
Brailsford, renowned for steering British cycling to unprecedented triumphs on the track before transitioning to the road with the former Sky team, now competing under Ineos’ banner, comprehends the demands of elite sports while recognizing the necessity for football expertise.
United’s recruitment endeavors, particularly, have been lackluster in recent times, with former chief executive Richard Arnold openly acknowledging to fans the club’s expenditure of ‘burning’ £1bn.
Making Antony, the 23-year-old Brazil winger, the club’s second most expensive purchase behind Paul Pogba is viewed as an indication the situation has got no better following Erik ten Hag’s arrival as manager.
Ashworth is also likely to have a major input into the club’s scouting systems.
Ten Hag wants new sporting director on ‘same page’
While Ten Hag says the decision over a new sporting director is not up to him, he added it’s important that whoever is appointed is “on the same page”.
“I think it is very important you are on one page about football philosophy, about football tactics, about the profiles of the players you need in the team,” said the Dutchman.
“It is one of the most important factors to develop a good team, that you have the right players but also the right characters.
“With the number of games you need people around who are on the same page, working on the same targets to achieve the high ambitions.”