Dan Ashworth has left his role at Manchester United after only five months (Image: GETTY)
have issued a blunt statement to confirm that is leaving his role as the club’s sporting director.
The 53-year-old only joined the Red Devils five months ago but has departed Old Trafford in an unexpected move. His exit came as a surprise, given the lengths United went to in their efforts to poach him from earlier this year.
United confirmed the news in a brief statement , which read: “Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as sporting director of by mutual agreement.
United moved heaven and earth to poach the 53-year-old from Newcastle earlier this year (Image: GETTY)
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“We would like to thank Dan for his work and support during a transitional period for the club and wish him well for the future.”
It has been claimed that was the instigator behind the decision to part ways with Ashworth. The INEOS chief in a show of faith which ultimately backfired.
Ratcliffe also hinted that a significant change was on the horizon during an interview with the fanzine earlier this week.
He said: “There is major change to come to achieve elite status. If you shy away from the difficult decisions, then nothing much is going to change.
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” must have the best recruitment in the world. You can’t just flick a light switch and sort out recruitment. It’s all about people and we need to find the right ones.”
Ashworth had been placed in charge of player recruitment at United, with Jason Wilcox reporting to him as technical director. He was heavily involved in the club’s summer spending spree as the Red Devils made a number of big-money signings.
Ratcliffe is on record praising Ashworth before his arrival at Old Trafford earlier this year, saying: “Dan Ashworth is clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world. I have no doubt he is a very capable person.
“He is interested in because it’s the biggest challenge at the biggest club in the world. It would be different at City because you’re maintaining a level. Here, it’s a significant rebuilding job. He would be a very good addition.”