Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth has spoken out about the departure of one former first-team player under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag saw a major revamp to his Manchester United first-team squad in the first summer transfer window under Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The 54-year-old United manager saw the arrivals of Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee and French defender Leny Yoro at Old Trafford in July.
Ten Hag was also reunited with two more of his former Ajax players after Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui were signed from Bayern Munich in August.
Manuel Ugarte arrived at Old Trafford on deadline day after United agreed a deal to sign the Uruguayan defensive midfielder from Paris Saint-Germain.
Ten Hag also axed several players from his United first-team squad in the summer, with the likes of Hannibal Mejbri, Facundo Pellistri and Donny van de Beek all sold.
Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial were two more former United players to leave at the end of last season after their contracts with the club expired.
Ashworth on ex-Man Utd star’s exit
Mason Greenwood, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jadon Sancho were among the other high-profile former Manchester United players to leave Old Trafford.
However, United’s decision to sell Scott McTominay to Serie A side Napoli in the summer received a mixed reception from inside the footballing world.
Scott McTominay was out of contract with United in 2025 and the Scottish midfielder had attracted fierce interest from Premier League side Fulham.
However, the 27-year-old Scotland international left Old Trafford on deadline day and completed a £25.7m move to Italian club Napoli.
Dan Ashworth praised McTominay as a “brilliant servant” and suggested that the ex-United star might have fancied “something different” at that point in his career.
“One thing we’re forgetting in all these rules and regulations is the player’s wishes as well,” he said, as per The Athletic.
“I don’t know if I’ve talked about it before, but if a player has an opportunity, and Scott’s been fairly open, that maybe he needed a change.
“He’s been at Manchester United for 22 years… he’s been a brilliant, brilliant servant. But sometimes in life, you fancy a change and do something different.”
Ten Hag on McTominay sale
Erik ten Hag had been a big admirer of McTominay and was keen to keep the Scotland midfielder at Old Trafford.
“It’s a little bit mixed,” he said last month.
“I’m very happy for him, it’s also for us mixed because I wouldn’t prefer to lose him because he is Man United in every way.
“He was so important for our team; he was at Manchester United for over 22 years. But unfortunately, it’s the rules.
“You have to discuss the rules to do sells and obviously homegrown players, academy players, bring more value.
“It’s not the right thing to do but for everyone, for all parts, it’s a good deal. For Scott, he is happy with it. Of course, for Napoli, a very good player but also for us.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
