Manchester United has chosen Dan Ashworth as the club’s top contender for the job of sports director, as part of billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s football operations reforms.

Man United is negotiating with Newcastle Club to release Mr. Ashworth’s contract, who is now the sports director at St James’ Park. This 52-year-old figure also wants to be a part of the new period lead by billionaire Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group, which has taken over football at Manchester United after purchasing 25% of the “Red Devils” shares.

After retiring, Ashworth became West Brom Club’s sporting and technical director in 2007. His contribution to enabling West Brom gain promoted twice and reach the top half of the rankings drew the club’s attention. I was approached by the English Football Association (FA) and asked to become Director of Development. He is a key force in implementing improvements at the FA that have helped football in the foggy country develop substantially in recent years. The “Three Lions” have advanced to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, their best performance in 22 years. However, Ashworth departed the FA immediately after the World Cup to become Brighton’s technical director.

Ashworth was key in Brighton being one of the most successful clubs in the transfer market after four years with the squad from 2018 to 2022. He signed contracts to acquire players who went on to become stars, including Alexis MacAllister, Leandro Trossard, Moises Caicedo, Evan Ferguson, Kaoru Mitoma, and Marc Cucurella.

Since 2022, Newcastle has spent around 160 million pounds in the transfer market under Sports Director Ashworth, and last season the team recorded the highest result in the English Premier League in two decades (placing fourth). return to the Champions League arena.

According to ESPN, Ashworth will be charged with overhauling Manchester United’s scouting department once he takes over as sporting director. Man United is reported to want to get Ashworth to Old Trafford as soon as possible so that he can make an effect in the forthcoming summer transfer window. Newcastle believes it can collect up to £10 million in compensation from Manchester United to “release” Ashworth.

Following an analysis of the club’s recent transfer transactions, INEOS Group expects that Mr. Ashworth would strengthen the recruitment system at Old Trafford. Only two teams, Chelsea and PSG, have spent more money recruiting rookies than Manchester United since 2018, although the “Red Devils” have only won one title in that time, the Carabao Cup in 2023.

Man United has not had a sports director since coach Alex Ferguson left in 2013, and the role will stay empty during the revamping of the team’s football operations in 2021. Senior officials at Manchester United, including Football Director John Murtough, Technical Director Darren Fletcher, and Coach Erik ten Hag, will be in charge of reporting the team’s position to the sports director.