Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s role in Dan Ashworth leaving Man United as sporting director

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After just five months in a sporting director role, Dan Ashworth is set to leave Manchester United.

Just hours after Manchester United’s 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, it seems the club’s hierarchy have made a bold decision about the behind-the-scenes structure.

United pushed hard to appoint Dan Ashworth as sporting director from Newcastle United, with a compensation fee agreed to get him into the club over the summer.

However, The Athletic’s David Ornstein has revealed that Dan Ashworth is now set to leave United just five months after his appointment.

United fans were delighted with Ashworth’s appointment with the 53-year-old widely considered one of the best sporting directors in world football. However, it seems his arrival at United did not go according to plan.

Dan Ashworth’s time as Man United director

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed an overhaul of United’s structure since his minority takeover in December last year.

Omar Berrada was one of the first through the door as the club’s new CEO, before the arrival of directors Jason Wilcox and Dan Ashworth.

It was reported that Ashworth was key to Ruben Amorim’s appointment after he and the rest of the hierarchy decided to sack Erik ten Hag in October.

Ashworth was also a key player in United’s summer recruitment, where close to £200m was spent on new arrivals.

Ashworth’s exit will come as shock news to staff and fans. There appeared to be no signs of unrest behind the scenes but United now find themselves looking for a new sporting director.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘pivotal’ to Dan Ashworth exit

One of Ratcliffe’s strengths is that since taking over the club he has put elite individuals in place to run the sporting side – such as Ashworth.

However, The Athletic report suggests he played a “pivotal” role in the decision to part ways with Ashworth.

Multiple sources claim that United instigated the separation with Ashworth, but that ultimately his decision to leave was mutual.

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim in complete agreement with Dan Ashworth about signing ex-Man United star in 2025

Ratcliffe previously praised Ashworth, describing him as “clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world.”

However, he has now pulled the trigger to let Ashworth leave. United are yet to announce a replacement.