Manchester United confident of taking Dan Ashworth from Newcastle as new sporting director
Manchester United are confident of landing Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United, talkSPORT understands.
The former Brighton transfer guru is Sir Jim RatcliffeThe main objective is to become its new sports director.
Ratcliffe's 25 percent stake in united man now it has been ratified by the Premier Leagueand want to appoint a head of recruitment to work with Ashworth at Old Trafford.
English joined Newcastle in 2022, but the Magpies are now prepared for their departure from St James' Park.
Ashworth was officially confirmed as the Magpies' director of football in February 2022, but served a period of gardening leave before joining the Toon in the summer.
He immediately helped Newcastle complete a cut-price deal for Nick Pope and a club record transfer involving Alexander Isak.
Anthony Gordon was then signed in January 2023 from Everton and has enjoyed a sublime season.
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Dan Ashworth Newcastle signings
Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad) £60 million
Sandro Tonali (AC Milan) – £52 million
Anthony Gordon (Everton) £45m
Tino Livramento (Southampton) – £40 million
Harvey Barnes (Leicester) – £38m
Sven Botman (Lille) £35m
Matt Targett (Aston Villa) £15m
Nick Pope (Burnley) £10m
Alex Murphy (Galway United) Undisclosed
Charlie McArthur (Kilmarnock) Undisclosed
Jude Smith (East Fife) Undisclosed
Garang Kuol (Central Coast Sailors) £400k
Yankuba Minteh (Odense Boldklub) Undisclosed
Harrison Ashby (West Ham) Undisclosed
Cathal Heffernan (AC Milan) Undisclosed
Reece Byrne (Bohemians) Undisclosed
Travis Hernes (Shrewsbury Town) Undisclosed
Lewis Hall loan (Chelsea)
Amadou Diallo (Free)
Ashworth works closely with Eddie Howe to identify targets and helped close summer deals for Tino Livramento, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Lewis Hall.
Livramento looked like a star in the making at left or right back, while Tonali looked like he was born to play in the Premier League until he was banned for illegal betting on football.
Barnes has also battled injury but has shown glimpses that he will be another important signing for the Toon.
At Brighton, Ashworth also established a recruitment system that has flourished since his departure, demonstrating his ability to create effective structures within clubs.
talkSPORT reported Man United's interest in Ashworth in December 2023, and with Ratcliffe's involvement now confirmed, talkSPORT is hoping things heat up.
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The lifelong Man United fan plans to waste no time putting his plans into action and Ashworth's appointment is a big part of that.
The 52-year-old has a wealth of experience, having started his career at Peterborough as an academy director before becoming sporting director of West Bromwich Albion in 2007.
The FA He then poached Ashworth in 2013, and spent five years working with Roy Hodgson and Gareth Southgate to establish an excellent football structure.
His success at Brighton is well known, and Newcastle hoped he would be the man to lead their new era, but as things stand, that doesn't look likely.
