“Dan Ashworth stepping down after only five months as Manchester United’s sporting director is a massive blow to the club’s plans. This instability at the top level is concerning, and the board needs to act quickly to address it. It seems he does not believe in Amorim’s Project” – This is according to Paul Scholes raises questions about Manchester United’s direction following Ashworth’s departure. The expert suggests this could have a ripple effect on the club’s long-term strategies.

Manchester United’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, has reportedly left his position after just five months in the role.

Ashworth officially began his tenure at Old Trafford on July 1 following a period of gardening leave from Newcastle United. However, his unexpected departure was allegedly finalized in a meeting with United CEO Omar Berrada after the club’s recent defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, part-owner of Manchester United, is said to have played a key role in the decision, though sources from The Athletic claim the club initiated the move. United has stated that Ashworth’s exit was a mutual agreement.

Ashworth, 53, was responsible for overseeing football performance and recruitment at United, reporting directly to Berrada, who joined the club from Manchester City. Jason Wilcox, United’s technical director, worked under Ashworth as part of a revamped leadership structure introduced by Ratcliffe.

During his time at United, Ashworth oversaw a £200 million summer transfer window that brought in players like Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, and Joshua Zirkzee. He also participated in decisions to extend Erik ten Hag’s contract, only for the manager to be dismissed a few months later.

Ashworth’s appointment at United followed lengthy negotiations with Newcastle, where he had been technical director. After informing Newcastle of his intention to move to Old Trafford, a compensation deal of approximately £2–3 million was eventually agreed upon, down from an initial demand of £20 million.

Previously, Ashworth held technical director roles at Brighton and the Football Association, where he earned a reputation as one of the top sporting directors in the game. Speaking earlier this year, Ratcliffe praised Ashworth’s credentials, calling him a “very capable person” and highlighting the challenge of rebuilding Manchester United as a major draw for Ashworth.

Ashworth’s departure follows critical comments from Ratcliffe, who described Manchester United as a “mediocre” club suffering from poor recruitment and outdated practices in data analysis. Ratcliffe emphasized the need for substantial changes to return United to elite status, including improvements in recruitment and analytics to compete with their rivals.