A sporting director is the first major recruitment that INEOS hope to make after purchasing 25% of Manchester United in return for sporting control.
Dan Ashworth, the sporting director of Newcastle United, is reportedly being watched at Old Trafford, and there are even rumours that the Red Devils have verbally agreed to bring him to the club.
Man Utd and Ashworth have reportedly struck a verbal agreement and he may attempt to bring players like Nicolo Barella and Gleison Bremer to the team, according to Inter Live.
In the summer, the 53-year-old managed to bring Sandro Tonali to the Magpies, but he was unable to get Barella. If Ashworth joins the 20-time English champions, he might now make an attempt to sign him for his new club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has planned to make big changes at the club but he wants to hire a sporting director before making further decisions regarding the future of the club.
Shields Gazzette claims that although Ashworth’s contract has no set release clause, it is complicated and precludes him from easily joining United.
According to the news source, Newcastle United want to move their sporting director to Man United in exchange for a compensation payment of £21 million.
Although negotiations have recently advanced, the St. James’ Park chiefs are not interested in reducing the asking price.
United must try their best to get Ashworth to the club, who has proven how influential can be. His success with Newcastle and Brighton speaks volume about the work he has done.
In order to take the club to the next level and make clever decisions, a professional like Ashworth will be useful for the club.
We have seen how clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal have succeeded with the right sporting director in place to run things at club. A similar turnaround is needed at Old Trafford.
