Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos want to shake up Manchester United’s recruitment team which has led to both Dan Ashworth and Paul Mitchell being considered as candidates to revamp how the club approaches the transfer market.
Former Tottenham head of recruitment Mitchell had been a frontrunner to take over as director of football from John Murtough. The Mancunian left his role at AS Monaco earlier this year and it is believed that he is back living in Manchester.
The latest on Ineos’ attempts to improve United’s recruitment team comes from iNews. They suggest that while Mitchell is still very much of interest to Sir Dave Brailsford, Ineos’ head of sport who is overseeing an audit of the club, he is in fact being considered for a head of recruitment role, with Newcastle’s Ashworth still no 1 priority as sporting director.
It’s understood that Ashworth is happy in his current role at Newcastle and the North-east club won’t want to be losing his expertise anytime soon. The former Brighton chief moved to St James’ Park in 2022.
One source told iNews: “Sir Dave will go all out for Dan [Ashworth]. This is what he is good at – getting the right people in, in the right roles. He won’t interfere with coaching or tell a manager which players to sign.
“He will get the right person in to do that. And he always gets his man.”
Mitchell could still be handed the director of football role, if Ineos are unsuccessful in their attempts to lure Ashworth away from Newcastle.
Furthermore, Daily Mail reporter Craig Hope was asked about Ashworth’s future during a Q&A on Wednesday. The question asked why Newcastle haven’t done anything to quell the media rumours of Ashworth switching St James’ Park for Old Trafford.
Hope believes there’s a chance Ashworth could move in the near future. His answer read: “In short, because I believe there is a chance he could yet leave for Manchester United.
“As you say, nothing has been said (on or off the record) in an effort to kill the speculation and, if anything, there is increased chatter in football circles of Man United being confident of taking Ashworth as their new sporting director.”
Hope adds: “Why would he go? Well, perhaps his level of control and influence at Newcastle isn’t what he thought he might be, while Man United could be promising him the keys to the kingdom.
“Most of what Newcastle do is ‘process driven’ and must be signed off by PIF, and there is a chance this has caused frustration.
“We have heard nothing to indicate any fallout and Ashworth has always been very professional and impressive when dealing with us, but I wouldn’t be hugely surprised were he to be tempted by an offer from Old Trafford.”
Get the latest Manchester United news, opinion, interviews and exclusive features with the Stretty Newsletter – Ad Free! Kick off your afternoon with the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.
