It’s not about how long you stayed at a place, it’s about how much of an impact that stay had on the place, and judging by that parameter, Dan Ashworth’s legacy at Man Utd is secure.
Dan Ashworth stayed at Manchester United for just over five months, almost less than the time it took for the club to extract him from Newcastle.
Ashworth’s relationship with Sir Jim Ratcliffe was reportedly broken beyond repair after disagreements over their view on running the club.
In the end, the sporting director was at the club for only one transfer window so just five players can be attributed to him, while his efforts to establish a culture at the club can’t be judged in just five months.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Amidst it all, however, he made a decision that ensures his legacy at Old Trafford will be bulletproof.
Dan Ashworth’s clear stance left a gift for Man Utd
At every club, there are moments that decide its trajectory. A wrong decision can send it into a tailspin and a vicious cycle it takes years to get out of and a good one can set it on a path to success.
United know both ends of that spectrum with fairly recent examples. Nobody can forget United caving in and paying Ajax £85 million for Antony, the investment from which the club is trying to wash their hands to this day.
At the same time, Ashworth’s stubbornness on a particular profile looks to be a decision on the other end of that spectrum.
Manchester Evening News reports that in a crucial summer window, United were faced with a decision over who to recruit for the all-important defensive midfield role.
Erik ten Hag, as loyal to his previous players as ever, was batting for Sofyan Amrabat to return to Old Trafford in a permanent capacity.
However, Dan Ashworth insisted that the club take a more long-term view of the situation and sign Manuel Ugarte, even if it meant selling Scott McTominay, something which Ten Hag didn’t want at all.
Ultimately, the structure won out over the manager in a sign that the club was finally getting its act together. Six months on, it looks like genius.
Manuel Ugarte is Dan Ashworth’s lasting legacy
Ashworth might not be at United anymore but in Manuel Ugarte, he’s gifted the club a player who can form the spine of the team easily for the next decade.
The Uruguayan overcame early troubles to become the first name on the teamsheet now. He’s making the whole system work under Ruben Amorim with his boundless energy and application.
Ten Hag never really trusted Ugarte and with time, as things that happened behind the scenes unraveled, it has started to make sense why.
Ultimately, it is turning out to be Ten Hag’s own downfall because his system, as unreliable as it was, screamed out for a player like Ugarte.
Amorim is benefitting from the best of the player who broke through him at Sporting. He has Dan Ashworth to thank for putting his foot down in the summer.
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