Man United target Liverpool boss Michael Edwards ahead of Dan Ashworth appointment

Manchester United's minority owners INEOS spoke to Michael Edwards before signing Dan Ashworth.

United announced on Sunday that Ashworth leaves his position as sports director by mutual agreement after just five months at the club.

He joined on July 1 from Newcastle United after a long period out due to gardening, but an exit has already been formalized.

United had apparently contemplated a different appointment beforehand, according to a report from ESPN.

INEOS is said to have spoken to him Liverpool executive director Edwardswho was previously sporting director during Jurgen Klopp's brilliant tenure.

These talks came before Sir Jim Ratcliffe's chemicals giants completed the purchase of a 27.7 per cent minority stake in February.

However, Edwards, who was out of work at the time, turned down the opportunity to move to Old Trafford and later returned to Liverpool.

Ashworth and United chief executive Omar Berrada met after their 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday night.

He oversaw their spend of almost £178m in the summer which saw the likes of Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte sign.

However, with United currently 13th in the Premier League table, it is clear that their new signings have not yet clicked.

Ashworth played a key role in the club's decision to extend Erik ten Hag's contract until 2026 before he was sacked in October.

Ten Hag was replaced by Rubén Amorim, but this appointment was headed by Berrada instead of the then sports director.

3

3

Sources have said there was a clash of personalities between the two.

Ratcliffe is also believed to have played a key role in his decision to part ways with United.

Furthermore, Ashworth was in favor of hiring an English manager, with former Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate his key target.

However, Amorim was the man chosen, and Ashworth is now set to leave the club set-up despite such a short spell in charge.

United's defeat against Forest was their sixth of the season and leaves them with 19 points out of a possible 45.

They are already eight points behind the top four and out of the automatic round of 16 qualifying for the Europa League.