Manchester United 'planning formal approach for Dan Ashworth'

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.

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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.

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.