Dan Ashworth left his position as Man United sporting director on Sunday
The highly-regarded Englishman only previously joined the club in the summer
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By MIKE KEEGAN
Published: 11:59 EST, 8 December 2024 | Updated: 12:01 EST, 8 December 2024
Dan Ashworth's claim that he had nothing to do with keeping Erik ten Hag at Manchester United ‘infuriated’ Sir Jim Ratcliffe and played a part in his shock departure from Old Trafford, sources have told Mail Sport.
In early September the sporting director, who left the club on Sunday morning after less than five months in the role in a stunning development, gave an interview with chief executive Omar Berrada to a number of media outlets.
Within it, both pointed out that the decision to retain the Dutchman – which ended up backfiring spectacularly – was not theirs and was taken prior to their arrivals. Insiders have disclosed that those comments subsequently went down ‘like a lead balloon’ with co-owner Ratcliffe, who appeared to set the record straight in his own interview a month later, with the club faltering badly and Ten Hag heading for the exit.
In an appearance on his yacht in Monaco, the billionaire petrochemicals magnate told the BBC that the decision on Ten Hag’s future was ‘not my call’ and when asked if he still had faith in the Ajax boss he added: ‘I don’t want to answer that question’.
Ashworth, 53, joined United on July 1 after completing five months of gardening leave at his last club, Newcastle United. United, who paid the Magpies between £2m and £3m for his services following protracted negotiations, announced Ten Hag’s extension on July 4. The pair then worked closely together on summer transfer business, which saw United – heavily restricted by financial rules – spend around £200m.
In came Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee. To underline his influence, Ashworth was quoted by the club when each arrival was announced. Despite the fact that Ten Hag had narrowly kept his job thanks in no small part to the upset FA Cup Final win over Manchester City, he retained a veto in transfer business.
Dan Ashworth left his position at Man United on Sunday
Man United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Ashworth (right) previously suggested that the decision to retain Ten Hag (left) in the summer wasn't his to make
Ashworth was involved in a heavy summer of recruitment at Old Trafford but has now left the club
Indeed, De Ligt and Mazraoui had played for him at Ajax, while Zirkzee is Dutch. In the interview, which took place before a morale-sapping 3-0 home hammering by Liverpool in early October, Ashworth had reflected on the summer business.
‘I like the squad,' he said. 'There are always bits. But there were four key positions we really wanted to strengthen and we've done that.’
Given the financial constraints, underpinned by United’s latest figures which disclosed the impact of no Champions League football, there was little room for error.
However, none of the arrivals had the desired effect and Ten Hag was sacked later that month with the club languishing in an embarrassing 14th place.
While Ashworth, who is close to Gareth Southgate, had a say in the firing, it was then interesting to note that there was no quote from him when United unveiled Ruben Amorim as his successor last month.
One of the summer signings, Yoro, finally made his debut in Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest, which was another sobering reminder of the scale of the task facing the new man.
After the final whistle in Saturday's 3-2 defeat against Nottingham Forest, Ashworth (right) was summoned to a meeting where his exit was confirmed
After the final whistle Ashworth was summoned to a meeting where his exit was confirmed. The move illustrates that, at 72, Ratcliffe is a man in a hurry. It also shines a light on a ruthless streak that has contributed to him becoming one of the country’s richest men.
‘Dan Ashworth is clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world,’ he said in February. ‘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 City because you’re maintaining a level. Here it’s a significant rebuilding job. He would be a very good addition.’
It is understood United are yet to decide whether they will replace Ashworth, who rose to prominence at the FA before joining Brighton. Talks are due to take place over the coming days.