Sir Jim Ratcliffe believes that Newcastle United’s stance over Manchester United target Dan Ashworth is ‘completely absurd’.
Ratcliffe’s investment was officially rubber-stamped on Tuesday, with his company Ineos taking a stake of more than 25%.
Fans are hoping for an exciting new era with Ratcliffe and Ineos seizing control of football operations at Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe has already made a fast start having landed Manchester City’s Omar Berrada as United’s new CEO.
More appointments are wanted but a move for Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth is proving a little complicated.
Dan Ashworth to Manchester United
Ineos want to make Ashworth United’s new sporting director, but that required him leaving the same position at Newcastle United.
Ashworth has told Newcastle that he wants to leave and has now been placed on gardening leave.
Newcastle want a staggering £20million fee for Ashworth, otherwise they could force him to remain on gardening leave until 2026.
That’s an unbelievable fee for a sporting director and more than some United players cost.
Newcastle are adamant that United need to pay up a considerable fee to get Ashworth out of his United contract – but Ratcliffe isn’t happy.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe on Ashworth
Ratcliffe has now told the Daily Mail that he thinks Newcastle’s stance is ‘a bit silly’.
Ratcliffe added that he thinks that it’s ‘completely absurd’ for Newcastle to expect Ashworth to effectively be out of work for at least 18 months.
This next part will maybe make some United fans a little bit sick, but Ratcliffe even offered praise to Manchester City!
Ratcliffe hailed City for their ‘grown up’ approach to United wanting Omar Berrada and seemingly feels that Newcastle should follow suit.
“I think it’s a bit silly, personally,” said Ratcliffe. “I won’t get dragged into that. What I do think is completely absurd is suggesting a man who is really good at his job sits in his garden for one and a half years. We had a very grown up conversation with City about Omar Berrada. When things got done we sorted it out very amicably. They could see why he wanted to take that challenge.”
“You look at Pep (Guardiola) when he’s done with one of his footballers he doesn’t want them to sit in the garden for one and a half years. He doesn’t do that. That’s not the way the UK works or the law works,” he added.
Newcastle’s stance probably won’t change after Ratcliffe’s comments but it’s clear that the situation is frustrating to Ratcliffe.
United will hope to somehow get a deal done soon – and hopefully without paying the £20million Newcastle are demanding.
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