Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth has left the club after a tumultuous five-month tenure, according to The Athletic.
“Multiple sources, speaking anonymously like others in this story to protect relationships, say United instigated the separation,” they wrote.
“The club say the final agreement to end Ashworth’s contract was mutual.”
The decision comes as a shock to the footballing world. Ashworth joined United from Newcastle United in July, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a reputation for astute recruitment.
United spent months chasing his signature. He even threatened legal proceedings when the Magpies refused to let him join the Red Devils.
However, the transition to Old Trafford has proven to be challenging. It appears INEOS boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe played a pivotal role in the decision to part ways with Ashworth.
Under Ashworth’s brief leadership, United embarked on a significant summer spending spree, bolstering their squad with promising young talents.
They added Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs De Ligt to the squad, but these signings have failed to move the needle.
Apart from Noussair Mazraoui, it is hard to pick out any of their summer transfer dealings that have been worth the punt.
United have struggled. They are in the bottom half of the table, already out of the title race after 15 games.
The Red Devils have suffered back-to-back losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, with Ruben Amorim failing to stabilise this sinking ship.
The team’s performance has been inconsistent, leading to speculation about the club’s direction.
The departure of Ashworth leaves United with a significant void in their sporting leadership. The club must swiftly identify and appoint a suitable replacement to oversee their football operations.
Paris Saint-Germain director Luis Campos is a possible option. He is a world-class operator and reportedly wants out, and United can give him a new stomping ground.
Atletico Madrid’s Andrea Berta is another solid option they must consider.
