Dan Ashworth looks to be the top choice for Manchester United’s new regime as they target a return to the pinnacle of English football.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have already made moves behind the scenes to get Manchester United back to the summit of football with former Manchester City CFO Omar Berrada becoming the club’s new CEO in the summer.
The Athletic has detailed that Sir Dave Brailsford’s next port of call is to figure out who the next sporting and technical director could be.
Doubts are emerging over Dan Ashworth with the report from The Athletic stating that he has given assurances to Newcastle United that he is happy at the club and AS Roma are circling for Paul Mitchell, according to reports.
Here are three other options United could explore as the club’s new director, replacing John Murtough.
Marco Neppe
Perhaps one of the easier options for the Red Devils to pursue over the next few months is Bayern Munich director Marco Neppe, who it was reported this week would be leaving Bavaria.
Neppe has reportedly seen his role at the Allianz Arena reduced in recent months but the former Eintracht Frankfurt defender was credited with getting deals for Harry Kane and Kim Min-Jae, two United targets, over the line.
This deal would, of course, be made easier as United would not need to negotiate with Bayern for the German to join the club and would just need to worry about his wages.
New sporting director Christoph Freund handled the arrival of Eric Dier and as a result, Neppe is now expected to leave Germany. Neppe could well be an interesting option for the Red Devils.
Michael Edwards
One man who has been linked to the Old Trafford hot seat is former Liverpool director Michael Edwards. Edwards was vital for the Anfield club as his relationship with manager Jurgen Klopp, and the healthy disagreements over transfer targets, meant the Anfield club were successful.
Edwards reportedly convinced the Liverpool hierarchy over Andy Robertson’s potential when he was at Hull City, as well as others including Mo Salah, with Klopp originally option for Julian Brandt before agreeing to the signing of the Egyptian., according to Jamie Carragher on The Overlap.
Since ending his time at Liverpool, Edwards has not returned to football and seemingly is happy taking a break from the stressful day-to-day requirements of working at a club.
After nearly 18 months out, you wonder if Ratcliffe could convince Edwards to come back into football. Edwards would be the forward-thinking director that the club need.
Julian Ward
Another option for the Red Devils, who has been linked with the potential vacancy at Old Trafford is another former Liverpool director Julian Ward.
After a career in non-league, Ward would eventually end up as a scout for Manchester City before Liverpool swooped in back in 2012.
He rose through the Anfield ranks before eventually replacing Edwards as the club’s sporting director. He steadied the ship for the Reds before stepping down last summer.
Like Edwards and Neppe, Ward would be available for free and the Red Devils may well be keen with Ineos said to be huge fans of Ward.
Ralf Rangnick
Ralf Rangnick becoming associated with United again would certainly be a shock but it is a big shame that the German innovator was never really given a chance to shine at Old Trafford.
After a managerial spell, that even he would admit was disastrous, Rangnick left Old Trafford to manage Austria’s national team. He seemed to burn a few bridges at the club and it certainly seems unlikely they would ask him back but he could be the exact man they need.
The 65-year-old was the brilliant mind behind the rise of the Red Bull franchise and during his brief stint at Old Trafford, he made a few player recommendations that the club didn’t follow up on, Julian Alvarez being one.
With a new sporting team, in Ineos, in charge of the running of the club, this should lead to a clean slate and a chance for Rangnick to right the wrongs of his previous spell.
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