Dan Ashworth leaves Manchester United just five months after joining as sporting director

Dan Ashworth has left Manchester United after just five months.

Ashworth joined the Red Devils as sporting director on July 1 after a long period of leave as a groundskeeper at Newcastle United.

However, as first reported by The Athletic, the transition has not been smooth and an exit has been decided.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is believed to have played a key role in the decision to split.

Ratcliffe, and his right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford, put the 53-year-old in charge of “football performance, recruitment and operations” at United.

Jason Wilcox reported to him as technical director.

Ashworth met with chief executive Omar Berrada at Old Trafford following the club's 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

He played a huge role in Ineos spending £183m in the first transfer window.

United signed players such as Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs De Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui.

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