Sir Jim Ratcliffe is continuing to reorganize things at Old Trafford. The chairman of INEOS is eager to appoint Newcastle executive Dan Ashworth as Manchester United’s next sporting director.
For Manchester United, both on and off the field, this is crucial.
The FA Cup is the only potential trophy for Erik ten Hag’s team, and they need to produce their finest run of play of the season if they want to finish in the Champions League spots. Ten Hag’s role is still being investigated as part of an ongoing reorganization at the club, which includes new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS colleagues considering their alternatives.
Dan Ashworth, the head of Newcastle, is Ratcliffe’s first choice to be the next sporting director, and that will involve some appointment-making.
However, Ashworth is being forced to depart Newcastle well in advance of his contract expiring in January 2026 because he was placed on gardening leave.
Ratcliffe meets Amanda Staveley, the co-owner of Newcastle Sir Jim Ratcliffe met with Amanda Staveley this week in an attempt to bring Dan Ashworth to Manchester United. After the former FA executive told Newcastle last month that he wanted to sign with the Red Devils before the summer transfer market opened, Ashworth was placed on gardening leave.
Although it was rumored that Staveley and company would demand up to £15 million to allow Ashworth to depart early, the Times reports that she has now met with Ratcliffe. Whether or whether an agreement was reached is unknown.
