MX23RW : Monday, November 25 19:10:56| >> :120:11328:11328:

Manchester United 'planning formal approach for Dan Ashworth'

Man United 'planning formal approach for Dan Ashworth'
© Reuters
Manchester United plan a formal approach for Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth, according to a report.

Manchester United are reportedly planning a formal approach for Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth, with the Magpies chief identified by Sir Jim Ratcliffe as his leading target.

Ratcliffe's 25% purchase of Man United is set to be ratified by the Premier League in the near future, and there have already been changes behind the scenes, with Omar Berrada arriving as the new CEO.

According to Sky Sports News, Ashworth is viewed by Ratcliffe's INEOS team as the number one candidate for the sporting director role, and an official approach will soon be made.

The report claims that Newcastle are reluctant to lose the 52-year-old, but he is privately open to discussing a move to Man United as part of the new football department under Ratcliffe.

Ideally, Man United would allegedly want Ashworth in place this summer for what will be Ratcliffe's first transfer window since arriving as a minority shareholder.

FA technical director Dan Ashworth inside the stadium before the match between England and Columbia on July 3, 2018© Reuters

Ashworth became West Bromwich Albion's sporting and technical director in late 2007, before moving to the FA in 2012 as director of elite development.

In 2019, he became technical director at Brighton & Hove Albion before moving to Newcastle United in early 2022 to become sporting director at St James' Park.

In his current position, Ashworth works closely with Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe in identifying transfer targets, and it is believed that he would have the same role at Old Trafford with Erik ten Hag.

Ashworth's impact on the recruitment model at Brighton has also gained huge praise, with the Seagulls known as one of the best-performing Premier League clubs in the transfer market in recent years.

Dan Ashworth

Sir Dave Brailsford is also set to take on a major role at Old Trafford moving forward, while there could also be a senior position for Jean-Claude Blanc despite claims that he had been overlooked for the role as CEO.

Man United's position in this summer's transfer window would be hugely strengthened if they were able to secure Champions League football for the 2024-25 campaign.

The 20-time English champions have won each of their last three Premier League matches to move into sixth position in the table, just five points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa and six behind Tottenham Hotspur in fourth.

Man United will be bidding to make it five straight wins in all competitions when they head to Luton Town in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The Red Devils are also still active in the FA Cup this season, with Nottingham Forest their opponents in the fifth round of the competition on February 28.

ID:536681:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4911:

Manchester United takeover - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Dan Ashworth

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe on March 17, 2023
Read Next:
Man Utd 'hoping to raise £100m from player sales this summer'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!