To my mind they both got what they deserved out of the deal.


Manchester United parted ways with Dan Ashworth after just half a year over concerns regarding his conservatism and ability to get the job done, according to reports. The former Newcastle United sporting director was seen as a bad appointment by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The claims emerged after details of how much Ashworth cost the Old Trafford outfit emerged this week in their quarterly financial report. Appointed as sporting director last July following intense talks that prised him away from Newcastle, his stint at Old Trafford was abruptly ended by December, resulting in a financial hit of ?4.1million for United.

This sum includes both his compensation deal and the fee required to release him from Newcastle. Reports from the Daily Mail suggest that United's hierarchy ended Ashworth's tenure upon realising his football acumen fell short of expectations, with insufficient background checks attributed to this oversight.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, stepping in as new co-owner, aimed to inject 'British expertise' into the fold, yet felt Ashworth's approach was too narrowly focused on UK football. Disagreements also brewed over prospective successors for Erik ten Hag and Ashworth?s analysis of the club's current state ? his candidates were deemed 'too conservative', failing to resonate with the club's new direction.

Moreover, his assessment of Manchester United was reportedly ?heavy on negatives and light on solutions?, with a source stating: "On the compass 'can do' is listed under 'words we like'. They did not see enough 'can do'."

At Newcastle, Ashworth was responsible for "overarching sporting strategy, football development and recruitment at all age levels.? He was appointed in 2022 after Newcastle approached his previous club, Brighton, for his services and Ashworth completed a period of gardening leave.

He lasted less than two years at Newcastle, before informing the club in February 2024 that he wished to leave and join Man United. He was immediately placed on gardening leave again as the two clubs conducted an at times public and acrimonious negotiation for compensation.

In July, Newcastle appointed Paul Mitchell as Ashworth's replacement. Man United, meanwhile, have opted not to appoint a successor, with CEO Omar Berrada playing an active role at Carrington and technical director Jason Wilcox seen as a crucial bridge between the players and the club's top brass. Christopher Vivell has been serving as interim director of recruitment, and his position is expected to be made permanent by INEOS.

Ashworth was the senior figure quoted when Manchester United extended former manager Erik ten Hag's contract and when the club committed to spending more than ?205m - if various add-ons are met - on Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte. The Red Devils are currently languishing in 13th place in the table and even boss Ruben Amorim labelled his side as 'maybe the worst team in the club's history' following a 3-1 defeat against Brighton at Old Trafford.