Manchester United have identified Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta as a potential replacement for Dan Ashworth, according to reports. Berta is claimed to be under consideration at Old Trafford after Ashworth's shock exit following Saturday's 3-2 Premier League defeat against Nottingham Forest.
On Sunday morning, a club statement read: "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."
It remains to be seen whether United will move to replace Ashworth quickly or if the decision was partly to streamline Ineos' hierarchy.
Chief executive Omar Berrada could helm recruitment from now on alongside technical director Jason Wilcox and director of recruitment Christopher Vivell.
However, United are reportedly already considering alternative figures in the hope of discovering a more suitable fit than Ashworth.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Berta features on the club's early shortlist after his exploits in the Atletico boardroom.
The Italian arrived at the La Liga giants in 2013 - having previously worked at Parma and Genoa - and first acted as technical director.
Since his arrival, Atletico have lifted two La Liga titles, the Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup.
However, after serving as the club's sporting director since 2017, the report adds that Berta is set to leave at the end of the season.
And he is said to be among the names United are evaluating in a process that could develop in the coming weeks if Ineos opt for pursuing a new figurehead.
In November, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo remained coy about Berta's future. He said: "Don't worry. Everything will work out for the best in the end."
Ashworth spent just five months as United's sporting director, the same period of time he made to wait for the job on gardening leave at Newcastle United.
The former FA chief played a central role in the summer transfer window, during which United splashed over £200million on multiple signings for Erik ten Hag.
However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his new Ineos hierarchy faced scrutiny after sacking Ten Hag just months later after an abysmal start to the season.
Ruben Amorim is now at the helm, an arrival for which Ashworth reportedly wasn't a leading advocate. And he has now become the latest victim of Ratcliffe's ruthless streak.