Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Dan Ashworth has already upset Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson because of two figures
Sir Alex Ferguson is bound to be happy if Man Utd appoint Dan Ashworth.
FA approves Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Man Utd stake purchase as deal nears completion
Manchester United are accelerating their chase of Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth as Sir Jim Ratcliffe prepares to officially commence his reign over football operations. Ashworth is INEOS' priority candidate to replace John Murtough, but he has had suitors at Old Trafford long before United's ownership shake-up.
The Mail report that the 52-year-old wants to leave Newcastle and join the Red Devils' new era under the INEOS banner.
And it's claimed that the two clubs are expected to reach an agreement over Ashworth's move as early as next week, with a formal approach being prepared.
Ashworth has only worked at St James' Park since the summer of 2022, joining from Brighton and Hove Albion, where he further boosted his reputation in the industry.
But the lure of the magnitude of the project INEOS have in store at United is said to have convinced him to drop his things and join the Ratcliffe revolution.
Ratcliffe and INEOS have the job of undoing the former hierarchy's mistakes of the last decade since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, which have caused a steep decline.
And Ashworth may already be in place at Old Trafford if it wasn't for United's heavily flawed former system under the Glazer family's watch.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Man Utd news
Join us on WhatsAppOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
According to The Athletic, Ferguson advised ex-chief executive Richard Arnold to make an approach for Ashworth in 2022 in an attempt to improve the club's inconsistent recruitment fortunes.
Arnold obliged but made it clear that the experienced chief would be working under football director John Murtough, internally appointed by the Glazers a year earlier.
Ashworth, expecting to be Murtough's superior, declined the opportunity to enter formal negotiations and later left Brighton for Newcastle.
Ferguson will have been left disappointed by the ex-Football Association figure's decision to reject the opportunity to work for United.
However, it speaks volumes of how confident he was in his ability, and the stars now appear to have aligned for Ashworth to land at Old Trafford.
DON'T MISS
Anthony Elanga drops true thoughts on Antony after being sold by Erik ten Hag [QUOTES]
Man Utd 'told De Jong price' but Erik ten Hag target could see Mainoo suffer [TRANSFERS]
Man Utd chief John Murtough 'in contact' with overseas CEO about Rasmus Hojlund [REPORT]
United have already appointed Manchester City's chief football operations officer, Omar Berrada, as Arnold's successor. He will start work this summer after serving a period of gardening leave.
Ashworth is being eyed as the next high-profile hire to spearhead INEOS' upheaval of United's sporting structure, with a head of recruitment potentially following him through the door.
Nothing is final, though. Newcastle could dig their heels in and make Ratcliffe cough up significant compensation to lure Ashworth away from Tyneside.
And even more cash might have to be tabled to ensure he isn't made to serve a lengthy period of gardening leave, reportedly currently set at 12 months.