Man Utd get their man! Dan Ashworth set to become new sporting director as Red Devils avoid legal wrangle with Newcastle

An agreement there has been mooted for some time, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the process of rebuilding the Red Devils on and off the pitch following his acquisition of a 25 percent stake in the club. Ashworth is considered to be a crucial part of that project.

A move to Old Trafford for the 53-year-old has been delayed by discussions with Newcastle regarding a compensation package – with the Red Devils prepared to pay any legal costs if the case ended up going to court. The Athletic reports that a compromise has now been reached, freeing Ashworth to begin work in Manchester with immediate effect.

Ashworth will be given responsibility for “football performance, recruitment and operations”, as he works alongside technical director Jason Wilcox. He will report into Sir Dave Brailsford, the director of sport at INEOS who has been charged by Ratcliffe with leading a review of United’s football operations.

Ashworth replaces John Murtough in the prominent post at United. He has been at Newcastle since February 2022, when he severed ties with Brighton. Prior to that, his reputation was built as technical director at the Football Association – with an influential role played in the World Cup wins enjoyed by England’s U17 and U20 teams in 2017.