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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Ratcliffe takes aim at Newcastle</li><li>Ashworth currently on gardening leave</li><li>Ratcliffe looking to add Ashworth to team</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'A bit silly' - Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes aim at Newcastle over Dan Ashworth situation as Man Utd seek to poach revered sporting director

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<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/gary-neville-hails-sir-jim-ratcliffe-ineos-bringing-new-energy-man-utd-10-years-complete-utter-tosh/bltc2fdd52fda148ea7" target="_blank">Having successfully taken over the Red Devils in a minority capacity</a>, Ratcliffe now wants to appoint <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/dan-ashworth-man-utd-desperate-hire-newcastle-director-of-football-england-tournament-success/bltb21e82316823acad" target="_blank">Ashworth as his new transfer guru</a>. The former director of Brighton &amp; Hove Albion <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/newcastle-statement-dan-ashworth-man-utd/bltc147cbea78c52240" target="_blank">has been placed on gardening leave by Newcastle United</a>, who are unwilling to let him go until the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/newcastle-statement-dan-ashworth-man-utd/bltc147cbea78c52240" target="_blank">Red Devils provide a compensation package of £20 million</a>. Ratcliffe, who has spoken highly of Ashworth, said he does not blame the 52-year-old for wanting to move from St. James' Park to Old Trafford.

WHAT HAPPENED?

“Dan Ashworth is clearly one of top sporting directors in the world,” <a href="https://theathletic.com/5290146/2024/02/21/jim-ratcliffe-manchester-united-transcript/" target="_blank">he told The Athletic</a>. “I have no doubt he is a very capable person. He is interested in Manchester United because it’s the biggest challenge at the biggest club in the world. It would be different at [Manchester] City because you’re maintaining a level. Here it’s a significant rebuilding job. He would be a very good addition. He needs to decide if he is going to make that jump."“We have had words with Newcastle who would be disappointed. They have done really well since their new ownership. I understand why they would be disappointed but then you can’t criticise Dan because it’s a transient industry. You can understand why Dan would be interested because it’s the ultimate challenge. We’ll have to see how it unfolds.”Ratcliffe was asked about the potential £20m compensation package for Ashworth: “A bit silly, personally. I won’t get dragged into that. What I do think is completely absurd is suggesting a man who is really good at his job sits in his garden for one and a half years.“We had a very grown-up conversation with City about Omar Berrada. When things got done we sorted it out very amicably. They could see why he wanted to take that challenge. You look at Pep [Guardiola] and when he’s done with one of his footballers he doesn’t want them to sit in the garden for one and a half years. He doesn’t do that. That’s not the way the UK works or the law works."

WHAT RATCLIFFE SAID

Manchester United are looking to turn the club back into title challengers following the takeover. The club has failed to win the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson left and currently six down in sixth place in the table. With Ratcliffe and potentially Ashworth on board, fans will be hoping that the club can move back to the top of the Premier League and consistently battle with the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Red Devils will next take the field when they take on Fulham on February 24 as they look to maintain their current winning run and secure a top-four finish.

WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

'A bit silly' - Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes aim at Newcastle over Dan Ashworth situation as Man Utd seek to poach revered sporting director | Goal.com English Kuwait

Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has called Newcastle United “a bit silly” regarding the situation with Dan Ashworth.

&apos;A bit silly&apos; - Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes aim at Newcastle over Dan Ashworth situation as Man Utd seek to poach revered sporting director