Earlier this morning, we brought you the news (see below) that Dan Ashworth had been (mutually) sacked by Manchester United.
The very reliable David Ornstein with yet another stunning exclusive.
The man from The Athletic saying that Sir Jim Ratcliffe was the one behind the sacking.
Ratcliffe making Dan Ashworth the scapegoat, for the shambles that he (Ratcliffe) has presided over.
Now Manchester United have officially confirmed that as always, David Ornstein knew his stuff.
Manchester United official statement – Sunday 8 December 2024:
‘Dan Ashworth will be leaving his role as Sporting Director of Manchester United by mutual agreement.
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.’
Simon Stone is Chief Football News Reporter at BBC Sport and he had the following to report last night from Old Trafford, after Man U had lost 3-2 at home to Forest. A lot of things now falling into place, what he reported as seeing last night…
Simon Stone on BBC Sport at 7.56pm Saturday 7 December 2024:
‘Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth just walked through the media room, heading from one part of the stadium to another.
He kept his head down and didn’t make eye contact with the journalists present.
Ashworth and the other United executives have a lot of work in front of them over the next weeks and months.
In an interview with the United We Stand fanzine that was on sale outside the ground today, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said United had become a ‘mediocre’ club. Today was a mediocre performance.’
The Mag earlier today (Sunday 8 December 2024) on the Dan Ashworth story:
Dan Ashworth has been sacked by Manchester United.
Sorry, Dan Ashworth has ‘mutually agreed’ to be sacked by Manchester United.
The exclusive (see below) delivered by the excellent David Ornstein on Sunday morning.
The man from The Athletic reporting that the embarrassing Sir Jim Ratcliffe is the one who has pushed for the exit of Dan Ashworth.
Whatever Newcastle United fans might think of the way Dan Ashworth behaved in exiting St James’ Park, this is quite clearly Sir Jim Ratcliffe looking for a scapegoat, to deflect attention away from his and the Glazers’ clueless running of Manchester United.
Ratcliffe was an absolute disgrace in how he behaved when trying to bully Newcastle United into simply handing over Dan Ashworth, when deciding that he and Manchester United wanted Newcastle’s Director of Football.
Sacking Dan Ashworth only five months after starting the job, is totally humiliating for the clueless minority Manchester United shareholder.
When demanding that Newcastle United should simply hand him over, Man U’s Ratcliffe said this back in February 2024:
“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 Manchester United because it’s the biggest challenge at the biggest club in the world.
“It would be different at [Man] City because you’re maintaining a level.
“Here it’s a significant rebuilding job.
“He would be a very good addition.”
David Ornstein reporting for The Athletic on Dan Ashworth and Manchester United – 8 December 2024:
‘Dan Ashworth has left his role as Manchester United sporting director after just five months.
Ashworth officially joined United on July 1 after a lengthy period of gardening leave at former club Newcastle United, but the transition has not been smooth and his exit has been decided upon.
Ashworth’s departure was agreed in a meeting with chief executive Omar Berrada at Old Trafford after United’s Premier League game with Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been pivotal to the call to part ways, in a move that will stun staff at United given Ashworth’s prominence in trying to reshape the club.
Multiple sources, speaking anonymously like others in this story to protect relationships, say United instigated the separation. The club say the final agreement to end Ashworth’s contract was mutual.
The new Ratcliffe-led hierarchy, overseen by Sir Dave Brailsford, had placed Ashworth in overall charge of football performance, recruitment and operations, with Jason Wilcox, also a new arrival, reporting to him as technical director.
Ashworth himself reported into Berrada, who arrived in the summer from rivals Manchester City.
All the executives were across the decision to keep Erik ten Hag as manager, with Ashworth quoted on the official announcement of the Dutchman’s extended contract in June.
Ashworth was also involved in a summer of heavy spending at Old Trafford, which included the arrivals of Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs De Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee in an outlay of around £200million ($280m). Ashworth was quoted on the confirmation of each signing.’