Man United could hire 52-year-old one year after Ferguson recommended him for Man Utd
Sir Alex Ferguson recommended Dan Ashworth to Manchester United before the highly-rated director joined Premier League rivals Newcastle back in 2022.
The legendary Manchester United boss will no doubt have been delighted, then, by suggestions that Dan Ashworth is ‘likely’ to become the new sporting director at Old Trafford once Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes his 25 per cent takeover (Daily Mail).
According to The Athletic, Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly ‘recommended an approach’ for Ashworth back in 2022, impressed by the way the 52-year-old laid the foundations for Gareth Southgate’s success with the England national team and helped transform Brighton into one of Europe’s most forward-thinking, upwardly-mobile institutions.
Manchester United eyeing Newcastle director
Ashworth, The Athletic add, was reluctant to hold talks with the Red Devils at the time. Less than keen on a role that would have left him answering to John Murtough. Ironically enough, the former could now replace the latter. The Mail report that Ashworth, if he can be lured away from Newcastle, will take over from Murtough as United’s football director.
The long-serving Murtough could still be kept on from Ratcliffe, albeit in a different role.
The INEOS owner’s right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford, meanwhile, is understood to be a huge fan of Ashworth. The i News believe that he is Brailsford’s ‘dream’ appointment.
Dan Ashworth admired at Old Trafford
Ashworth is renowned not only for instilling a clear, coherent structure behind the scenes but also for his eye for a bargain in the transfer market. Brighton and Newcastle snapped up the likes of Moises Caicedo, Leandro Trossard, Sven Botman, Tino Livramento, Antony Gordon and Kaoru Mitoma during his time at The Amex and St James’ Park respectively.
Ashworth also has a good relationship with Florin Manea, the agent who represents the Manchester United-linked central defender Radu Dragusin. The £25 million-rated Romania international is expected to leave Genoa in 2024. Manea has held talks with Newcastle United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
The appointment of Ashworth, however, could give the Red Devils the edge in pursuit of one of Europe’s best young defenders.
