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Dan Ashworth’s Sudden Exit at Manchester United Raises More Questions Than Answers

Dan Ashworth's Sudden Exit at Manchester United Raises More Questions Than Answers

In a move that surprised the football world, Manchester United announced the departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth after just five months in the role. The club described the decision as a “mutual agreement,” but sources close to the situation suggest the parting of ways may have been far from amicable.

Dan Ashworth’s Sudden Exit at Manchester United Raises Questions

Ashworth’s arrival at Old Trafford was highly anticipated following his successful tenure at Brighton and his instrumental role in transforming England’s age group teams. His move to Manchester United came after a costly negotiation with Newcastle, which reportedly set the club back £2-3 million to secure his release from his previous contract. In February, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe hailed Ashworth as a “10 out of 10” sporting director and was optimistic about the impact he would have at the club.

However, months later, Ashworth’s position became untenable. Reports indicate that he had been sidelined from key decision-making processes at United, with his influence reportedly waning as the club faced mounting challenges on and off the pitch. Ashworth’s departure follows a tumultuous summer for the club, which saw the controversial decision to retain manager Erik ten Hag despite the team’s struggles. The Dutchman’s position was under review, with United exploring potential replacements before ultimately awarding him a one-year extension.

In the wake of Ten Hag’s retention, United spent a staggering £200 million on new signings, yet none have delivered immediate success, leaving questions about the effectiveness of the recruitment strategy. Ashworth, who was heavily involved in these signings, has faced criticism for the club’s lack of progress, and many insiders suggest that his departure was a direct consequence of these perceived failures.

The tension between Ashworth and Ratcliffe reached a boiling point after Ashworth publicly claimed he had not been involved in the decision to extend Ten Hag’s contract—a remark that reportedly did not sit well with the United co-owner. Sources suggest that Ratcliffe had already decided about Ten Hag’s future and hoped to bring in a new manager who could lead the club into a new era.

The speed of Ashworth’s exit, just five months after joining the club, has raised concerns about the internal power struggles at Old Trafford. Senior figures within the club, such as chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox, are said to be more aligned with Ratcliffe’s vision, leading some to speculate that Ashworth’s departure is part of a broader reshuffling of power at the club.

With the club’s fortunes continuing to stagnate under new manager Ruben Amorim, who has yet to make a significant impact, questions are mounting over whether Manchester United can resolve its recruitment and managerial issues. Ashworth’s departure, which comes on the heels of a £21 million compensation payout for Ten Hag’s sacking, has only added to the growing uncertainty surrounding the club’s direction.

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As for Ashworth, he will likely be out of work for a long time. His track record in football, including his role in England’s Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup victories, means that top clubs like Arsenal and Everton are already being linked with a move for the highly-regarded sporting director.

The question remains: Can Manchester United’s leadership navigate the turmoil, or will more high-profile exits follow Ashworth’s departure? Only time will tell.

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