Manchester United and sporting director Dan Ashworth have parted ways after just five months and the Premier League side confirmed the 53-year-old’s departure on Sunday. Ashworth, who spent five months on gardening leave from Newcastle United before moving to Old Trafford, joined the Red Devils in early July.
United, who recently appointed Ruben Amorim to replace Erik ten Hag as head coach, described the move as a “mutual agreement”. The decision is believed to have been made following United’s 3-2 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, which left the team in 13th position in the Premier League.
“Dan Ashworth will leave his position as sporting director of Manchester United by mutual agreement,” reads the club’s official statement this Sunday. “We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during the club’s transition period and wish him the best for the future.”
Ashworth was present at Old Trafford and was seen walking towards a meeting through the press conference room after the match. The former Brighton and Hove Albion manager cost United millions of dollars in a deal with former club Newcastle United that prevented him from even taking over before the summer.
A major part of the initial shake-up of United’s executive team by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, as well as chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox, is leaving after just one transfer window. The trio worked together on the appointment of Amorim from Sporting CP as Ten Hag’s successor, but Ashworth and the Portuguese tactician did not even work together for a full month in Manchester.
Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui arrived during the summer for a combined total of more than $229.3 million. Ten Hag was sacked for failing to take advantage of the trust shown in him to turn things around with those newcomers and new Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy temporarily replaced his compatriot before Amorim’s arrival last month.
United currently sit 13th in the EPL standings with just 19 points, their lowest total after 15 games since 1986. Amorim’s side will travel to Czechia to face Viktoria Plzen in the UEFA Europa League this week ahead of the Manchester Derby against bitter rivals City next Sunday. With Pep Guardiola’s also in poor condition.
