Who will replace Dan Ashworth? Manchester United is looking for a new sporting director after his departure

Dan Ashworth's time at Manchester United has ended after just five months, meaning the search for his replacement has begun.

The sporting director arrived at Old Trafford on July 1 after gardening leave Newcastle.

talkSPORT understands that the red devils paid £10 million in compensation to the Toon for Ashworth.

However, in December 2024 it was announced that mutually left the club.

The former Brighton transfer guru was a key factor in Erik ten Hag he signed a new contract in the summer, while also playing a major role in the £183m transfer spend.

Joshua Zirkzee was a player that Ashworth played a huge role in acquiring and he has yet to live up to the hype.

talkSPORT chief football correspondent Alex Crook revealed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe played a Big part of Ashworth's departure from the club.and now he will have to find a replacement.

Who will replace Dan Ashworth?

Dougie Freedman

The favorite of the first bookmakers is Crystal Palace director of football Dougie Freedman.

Freedman has held the position at Selhurst Park since 2017 after leaving his managerial career in 2016.

The Scot helped turn Palace into a strong Premier League side and was responsible for signing the likes of Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise.

Newcastle chose him as their first choice to replace Ashworth, but he opted to remain in south London, with Toon choosing Paul Mitchell.

However, Freedman is said to have a close relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson after the pair met in 2011, when the Eagles beat Man United in a cup tie.

They even became neighbors when Freedman managed Bolton Wanderers, so that could play a huge role in bringing the Scot to Old Trafford.

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Jason Wilcox

Man United could opt to go with an internal candidate in an effort to save money.

After sacking Ten Hag and Ashworth leaving, the Red Devils have spent heavily on compensation, meaning they ideally don't want to pay any more.

That's where Wilcox comes in, who is already at Old Trafford serving as the club's technical director.

He joined the club earlier this year from Southampton and knows Man United chief executive Omar Berrada from his time working at city ​​of manchester.

Wilcox had a rapid rise at City, rising from coach to academy director.

City's academy has produced some excellent players in recent years, including Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia, so you can clearly spot the talent.

While working as Southampton's director of football, the Saints signed Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Man City on loan.

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Luis Campos

If Man United want to get back to the top, they should look for the best in their class, and that is Luis Campos.

The 60-year-old has worked for some of Europe's biggest clubs and helped create title-winning teams at Monaco and Lille.

Both teams managed to overcome the power of Paris Saint-Germain to become French champions for a season, and that was largely due to the players Campos found.

Some of his gems include Gabriel Magalhaes, Bernardo Silva and Fabinho.

Campos was also one of the first to notice a certain Kylian Mbappé in the Monaco youth team, and the rest is history.

Campos is currently at PSG and his contract expires in the summer of 2025, with no new deal in sight.

However, if Manchester United want him, they will have to act quickly because Arsenal have been linked while they look for Edu Gaspar's replacement.

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