The new era at Man United is starting to take shape as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS set about their plan to take the Red Devils back to the top of English football.
The British businessman’s 25 per cent takeover of the Manchester club was approved by the Premier League this week and with the 71-year-old now in control of the sporting side at Old Trafford, he wants to have the best people working behind the scenes.
The sporting director role is one of the most important positions at any football club and Ratcliffe has his eye on Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth.
According to the Independent, Man United are willing to wait for a year for Ashworth to start and will not pay Newcastle United £10m to ensure he can begin straight away.
Ashworth has done a brilliant job as sporting director of Premier League clubs Brighton and Newcastle, therefore, it is not a surprise that Man United are planning a move for the Magpies man.
The Manchester club are preparing an official approach for Ashworth in the near future and are also interested in appointing Jason Wilcox – currently Southampton’s director of football – to assist him.
The Independent states that although Man United want Ashworth, the Red Devils will not want to be held to ransom by Newcastle and are aware that giving them money will help relieve some of their Financial Fair Play issues.
Newcastle wouldn’t be held to ransom, when Man U demanded an extortionate loan fee for Jesse Lingard either.
Yep won’t pay £10 million for a bloke they think will take them forward, but happy to fork out £80 million for Anthony!