Dan Ashworth with the rest of the hierarchy at Manchester United _(Image: Mike Egerton/PA)_
DAN ASHWORTH has made a shock departure from Manchester United – just five months after the club shelled out £10m to prise him from St James’ Park.
Ashworth left [Newcastle United](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle) in acrimonious circumstances in the summer, having been placed on a lengthy period of gardening leave after announcing he wanted to leave his position as sporting director on Tyneside in order to move to Old Trafford.
But, in a shock turn of events, reports this morning claim Ashworth has now left his post as sporting director at Manchester United after less than half-a-year in the job.
Ashworth officially began work at Old Trafford on July 1 after Newcastle chiefs finally agreed to release him from his contract on Tyneside, and he has been heading up all football operations with Manchester United.
However, his surprise exit is understood to have been agreed after a meeting with Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada in the wake of yesterday’s 3-2 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United’s part-owner, was reportedly involved in the move to rip up Ashworth’s contract, which is being described as a ‘mutual decision’.
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The 53-year-old was heavily involved in Manchester United’s summer transfer business, which saw around £200m spent on the signing of Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee.
Ashworth’s planning for the January window is understood to have been at an advanced stage, but the transfer chief has been removed from his position before the window has opened, plunging Manchester United’s recruitment policy into a state of flux.
Newcastle replaced Ashworth with Paul Mitchell, who is preparing for his first full transfer window as the Magpies’ sporting director.
Newcastle are, however, on the look-out for a new chief executive, with Darren Eales having announced his intention to stand down from his current role because of health issues.