Manchester United have said goodbye to Dan Ashworth as the sporting director makes a rather abrupt departure from Old Trafford.
As far as weekends go, this was a pretty miserable one for Manchester United fans.
United supporters watched on as Ruben Amorim’s side lost 3-2 at home to Nottingham Forest, turning in a dire display in the process.
That was bad enough but United fans were then left to question the entire Ineos project on Sunday.
Dan Ashworth has left United after just a matter of months as the club’s sporting director, departing by mutual consent.
Gary Neville slammed United’s ‘weak’ statement confirming Ashworth’s departure, believing that Ineos must truly explain his exit.
Dan Ashworth, Sporting Director of Manchester United is interviewed following the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase Draw at Grimaldi Forum o...
Photo by Valerio Pennicino – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Dan Ashworth to Arsenal suggested
Ineos not only hired Ashworth over the summer but paid compensation to get him out of Newcastle United.
Ashworth was effectively head-hunted for this United project but has remarkably departed already.
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This leaves many questioning whether Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co really know they are doing at Old Trafford and the perceived chaos is not a great look.
The Athletic now claim that whilst Ashworth is on his way out having endured a fractured relationship with Ratcliffe, he is expected to receive interest.
Ashworth will have ’no shortage of offers’ after leaving United with his prior reputation from spells at Brighton and Hove Albion and Newcastle Untied still in tact.
The report even suggests that some inside the game are connecting Ashworth with a potential move to Arsenal.
The Gunners have seen Edu depart the club and are seeking a new sporting director to work alongside Mikel Arteta.
Real Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe is wanted by Arsenal according to Foot Mercato but Ashworth is being suggested by people in the game.
Ashworth worked with Arsenal’s managing director Richard Garlick at West Bromwich Albion and that connection has been highlighted.
Arsenal have not made a firm move for Ashworth but his availability may just spark some interest.
Ineos losing faith at Manchester United
Ineos were supposed to bring a new era to Old Trafford but fans are already beginning to lose faith.
Backing Erik ten Hag over the summer only to sack him in October cost the club millions before then paying to lure Ruben Amorim away from Sporting.
United have now parted ways with Ashworth just months after making him the top target for the sporting director role.
Add in redundancies across the club and a controversial ticket price rise and fans are right to have more than a few questions.
Unpopular decisions will be needed to get United back on track but Ineos are leaving fans questioning the direction of the club and their project.
Sunday’s developments have caused doubts and it will be fascinating to see Ashworth’s next move as Ineos now move on without him.
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