Dan Ashworth to Manchester United: everything we know about the Newcastle sporting director's proposal

Transfer sagas don't just involve players these days, as Manchester United are discovering in their pursuit of Dan Ashworth.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has identified the sports director as the man who will help the change The luck of Man United.

However, despite agreeing to join the Red Devils and telling Newcastlecan't start working and the reasons are complicated.

Therefore, talkSPORT.com took an in-depth look at Ashworth's situation regarding his proposed move from St James' Park to Old Trafford.

Who is Dan Ashworth and why does Man United want him?

Ashworth He has earned a reputation as one of the best sporting directors in football.

He rose to prominence at West Bromwich Albion and made great strides in the FA before joining Brighton.

Newcastle then swooped in and paid the Seagulls money to bring him to Tyneside in early 2022.

However, the 52-year-old took gardening leave and arrived in Tyneside in the summer of that same year.

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He has incredible contacts and prides himself on player identification, possessing page after page of information on footballers from around the world.

It is not clear how involved he was with the signings in Newcastlebut during his time with the magpiesthey recruited Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, to name a few.

Henry Winter of the Times He knows Ashworth well and details how the former Brighton player likes to be involved in all aspects of a club and likes to build good cultures.

Ultimately, he is highly motivated, highly regarded and respected in football due to his vast body of work.

What has been Newcastle's response?

Well, it's understandable that the Toon isn't happy about losing Ashworth.

This is a man they spent £4 million getting out of Brighton and then waited four months before he could start work at St James' Park.

The club identified him as a key piece of their project, so losing him is a hard blow.

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However, they are not going to let united man Take Ashworth and turn around.

Newcastle had to pay for him, and so did the Red Devils.

Currently, the Magpies seeking £20m allowing Ashworth to start working at Old Trafford, which might seem excessive.

But the club can demand whatever it wants from someone it invested time and money in.

Of course, negotiations are expected to take place soon and Man United will hope Newcastle will reduce their demands.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have placed Ashworth on gardening leave, and he will remain so until 2026 unless the Red Devils pay up.

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In a statement, Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales said: “We are naturally disappointed that Dan has decided to leave, however our exciting journey is not stopping and the process to recruit a new sporting director will begin immediately.

“We thank Dan for his efforts at Newcastle United and wish him and his family the best for the future.”

Ashworth has been blocked from accessing all of Newcastle's computers and scouting systems, so his departure is a matter of when, not if.

What is gardening leave? Can Ashworth work for Man United at the same time?

Gardening leave doesn't mean that the person in question spends all their time tending to their roses, but in many ways they might as well.

Under UK employment law, anyone on gardening leave remains classed as an employee and receives their full salary.

However, they may be told not to come to work and may be blocked from accessing company data.

It is often applied in the final weeks of an employee's contract if they join a direct competitor to protect trade secrets and enforce privacy.

In Ashworth's case, that gardening leave period is much longer and forms part of his contract, and Man United are direct first division rival to Newcastle.

While you are on gardening leave, you will no longer be able to work for Newcastle or manchester unitedand if he is found to be doing anything for the Red Devils while on gardening leave, he would be in serious legal trouble.

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How have Man United responded and what do they intend to do?

Man United are unhappy because they want Ashworth to start working immediately, which he could do if they paid Newcastle.

But the Red Devils don't want to pay £20m and have not entered into negotiations, so they are reportedly willing to let Ashworth serve out his gardening leave.

Ratcliffe even took aim at the Toon when talking about Ashworth after his 25 percent stake in Man United it was confirmed.

He said: “It's a bit silly, personally, but I won't get dragged into it.

“What does seem completely absurd to me is to suggest that a man, who is really good at his job, sits in his garden for a year and a half. We had a very adult conversation with City about Omar Berrada.

“Ultimately, Dan cannot be faulted for seeking perhaps the most coveted position in football as sporting director, especially given the challenge at Manchester United.”

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It's unclear what the INEOS owner thinks he'll achieve by complaining publicly about Newcastle, but it's hardly going to make Toon more open to negotiations.

There is some tension between the two clubs but hopefully some agreement will be reached so the Toon can find a new director of football and Man United can hire Ashworth.

But as things stand, it's a complicated situation and you have to remember that this man doesn't score goals or make saves; He is a non-playing staff member, but that's where we are with football transfer sagas these days.