There have been key developments in Manchester United’s pursuit of Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth.
Manchester United have made Dan Ashworth the club’s number one target for sporting director under the Ineos revolution.
According to The Athletic, Dan Ashworth has now told Newcastle he wants to leave to join Manchester United.
The report states Newcastle have now placed Ashworth on gardening leave, meaning he is no longer carrying out his role for them.
Newcastle demands for Dan Ashworth
Newcastle are playing hardball, insisting that unless Manchester United pay £20 million, Ashworth will not be released from his contract until 2026, report The Telegraph.
This could be a figure worth paying, to get him in and leading the Ineos project at Manchester United.
Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer wrote on X: “Is that all?”
Whether Manchester United actually end up paying anything near this. Ineos will look to bring this figure of compensation down substantially.
Ashworth is not the only target, however. The Athletic reported last week that United are actively looking to recruit Southampton sporting director Jason Wilcox, who would work under Ashworth.
It is reported United expect Wilcox to be on board before Ashworth.
Ashworth is close to Ineos key advisor Sir Dave Brailsford, who is a regular presence at Manchester United games.
United have already hired Omar Berrada as CEO, who left Manchester City. He starts work in the summer.
READ MORE: Dan Ashworth’s best signings amid Manchester United links
Gary Neville backs move
Gary Neville told Sky Sports he backs a move for Ashworth, and believes he is worth paying more for to get him in early.
“Manchester United might say we can’t wait that long so we’ll pay for it. I would say its an absolute imperative for the next transfer window that Manchester United get someone in place, because if you [don’t] pay £10m to get Dan Ashworth out and you have another bad transfer window you might blow another £100 million. It’s important they get the right people in place.”
“For 10 years every Manchester United manager has operated without a CEO who has ever been in a football club before, without a sporting director, without a head of recruitment. It’s madness. Forget negligence, it’s just madness.
“Putting the best people into the biggest club in the world is the sensible thing to do. It’s coincided with the club’s turnaround in fortunes.”
READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
